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Create your own scroller sign at PhilsGraphicHelp.com!All Blacks go down fighting -------------------
Geoff Davies --------------------
Bridgnorth 12, Kenilworth 38----------------
BRIDGNORTH RFC finished their Midlands 2 West league programme on Saturday with a spirited display against the league champions Kenilworth.The All Blacks needed to win this encounter to ensure survival in this league, and while it was a disappointing loss, it again showed the improvement made by the club this season.Kenilworth have had a tremendous season, scoring almost 1,000 points, and are coached by former England prop Darren Garforth, and also have several current and former professional players in their ranks.Bridgnorth started badly by conceding a try from the quick Kenilworth backs, which their full back Caswell converted easily.Bridgnorth defended stoutly against the initial onslaught, but could not prevent Kenilworth’s scrum half Mark Hill scoring another try.This was followed by a crash ball move from prop forward Ed Hunter who virtually strolled across to score beneath the posts for Caswell to add the extra points.Bridgnorth, who were without speed merchants Mike Preece and Al Cooper, concentrated on tight forward moves. The pressure led to a penalty which was narrowly missed by Charlie Ralph.A good pressing run from prop Chris Geyton, with Cliff Thomkinson alongside, enabled the young scrum half to squeeze through a narrow gap to put winger Craig Thomas over for a good try in the corner.Charlie Ralph smacked a super conversion over.Bridgnorth gained heart and began to play a tighter, error free game, despite leaking a further try from Kenilworth’s Luke Brown before half time, which Caswell converted.After the break, Mark Sanderson left the field with an injury and had to be replaced by experienced Phil Jefferies, who soon got into the thick of the action.There was no score for a while until Bridgnorth caught Kenilworth with a man light in the backs, and some slick passing from Jones, Markevics, and Geyton, put Craig Thomas into space with 20 metres to the line.Bridgnorth’s top try scorer underlined his sheer class by lancing through the close cover to score a tremendous try in the corner to peg Kenilworth back to 26-12.Danny Markevics then made a super break up the middle of the park, and Kenilworth were really becoming quite rattled.Bridgnorth then began to play some great rugby, but Kenilworth came back again with two tries, another from Mark Hill and prop Nick Collett, the first of which was converted by Caswell.Bridgnorth came back yet again at the end, with Gareth Jones having a touch down disallowed the ref.Bridgnorth’s squad for this Midlands West 2 game contained 13 players who have come through their own mini and junior ranks, and only five players who have come from other clubs.There were also five players in the side who made their full debuts for the team this season, four of which were home grown players.It’s worth pointing out that the current Bridgnorth under-17s and other junior sides are sweeping all before them this year.While the first XV return to Midlands West (North) 3 next year, they have learnt and developed immeasurably from this experience, following last year’s thrilling victory over this season’s Midland West (South) champions, Hereford.
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