Losing Bonus Point

The Shropshire side were in fourth place in the midlands premier league prior to this match so a tough game was expected.

The home team had their fair share of possession in the first half but as you would expect from a fourth placed team Bridgnorth tackled well and snuffed out any scoring chances. Equally when the visitors were on the attack, the Burton defence, which has improved greatly in recent weeks, was also strong.

Probably from frustration on both sides at not getting anywhere a bit of niggle crept into the game ending with the referee sending a player from either side into the sin bin for ten minutes. This seemed to calm things down and both sides settled down and tried to play good rugby. In the 35th minute of the half winger Harris Mountford made a run deep into the Bridgnorth 22. When he was tackled the ball was recycled quickly and passed to flyhalf Harry Titley who sold a lovely dummy to his opposite number and ran in to score under the posts. Will Simpson added the extra points.

It is said that sides are at their most vulnerable just after scoring and this seemed to be the case for Burton. From the restart two players stood and watched the ball bounce between them and the visitors were able to regain possession and get well into the Burton 22. From a scrum on the five metre line the visitors’ number eight picked the ball up, sold a dummy and scored near the posts. The kicker added the extra points to make the scores level. This was close to the end of the half and there was no further significant action so the half time score was 7-7.

After the restart the visitors were on the attack almost immediately and their powerful forwards hammered the Burton defensive line. Although Burton tackled well, they eventually ran out of numbers and could not prevent a try in the corner. The conversion was missed.

Although Burton were superior in the set scrums their lineout did not work well, but this was probably due to the strong wind making it difficult to throw accurately or to judge the flight of the ball. As with Bridgnorth in the first half Burton were unable to use the wind to their advantage but when the visitors attacked the Burton defence was strong.

Towards the end of the game Burton had a scrum on the five metre line. They appeared to get over the line but the referee disallowed the try. However, he had already awarded a penalty so Burton chose another scrum. They won the ball but the Bridgnorth defence was too strong and prevented a score. There was no further significant action so the final score was Burton 7 Bridgnorth 12.

Despite the low score line this was an entertaining game, but one that on balance Burton should have probably won. However at least they got a losing bonus point which takes them up to 9th place in the league.