Old Redcliffians 45 Bournville 20
Bournville will disagree – and with plenty of justification – with the old adage that the scoreboard never lies after a frustrating afternoon at Scotland Lane.
The bare result suggests that this was another heavy defeat on the road for Bourns but does not show that with 20 minutes to play there were just six points between the sides.
An interception try from replacement lock Mitch Pursall, when Bournville were pressing in attack, proved to be the score that broke their resistance and was followed by two more in a devastating nine minute period which gave a final scoreline which rather flattered Old Redcliffians.
It meant another familiar trip back up the M5 without the consolation of a bonus point for their efforts while Macclesfield opened up a nine points gap, with four matches to play, having beaten Redruth 31-14 at Priory Park.
With 19 players unavailable and a lengthy casualty list, just assembling a matchday squad of 20 was a challenge in itself for Bourns.
Birmingham University student Will Loftus made his debut, loosehead prop Scott Rudge his first appearance in a year and utility back Josh Tutt his competitive debut off the bench having been recalled from a loan spell at Burton.
Yet Bourns were competitive throughout with Freddie Morgan landing two early penalties then converting a brace of tries from scrum-half Reiss Price that restricted Old Redcliffians to a 26-20 lead at the break.
Scrum-half Tom Fogerty (two) and flankers Oliver Stratton and Jalen Curry crossed for Old Reds with fy-half Zac Tomlin converting three of the tries.
Bournville had to play up the slope in the second-half which meant they needed to be accurate and clinical if they were to deny Old Reds, who are masters of using the contours of their home patch to their advantage.
Errors at critical stages prevented Bournville from converting pressure into points in the third quarter and when Old Reds intercepted James Mann’s pass and Pursall scored it meant, in effect, a 14 points swing.
Wing Harrison Murphy and hooker Kacey Pike followed up with the tries that ended with a scoreline which did not reflect Bournville’s efforts.
The season does not get any easier for Bourns with Luctonians, fresh from defeating leaders Camborne, next up at Avery Fields next Saturday.
But Assistant Coach, who was pressed into service as a replacement at Old Redcliffians, should find selection a little less challenging with unavailability less of an issue for a home match.
