Bridgnorth vs Stourbridge Lions

LIONS GO DOWN FIGHTING AT BRIDGNORTH

The Lions travelled to Bridgnorth on Saturday with several key players missing, especially in the pack and lost 54-11. The scoreline, however, belies the courageous and hard-working efforts put in all across the team. There was no man of the match this time; it was a team effort that, before half-time, saw the Lions competing on level terms and at one stage even leading, causing the home side and their fans a great deal of concern. The second half saw the Lions fade as many of the players tired under constant pressure.
Let’s be clear here; Bridgnorth are, by a comfortable distance, the best team we have seen so far this season and almost certainly the stand-out team in the league. They will, barring a fall-off in performance of earth-shattering proportions, be promoted very soon after Christmas. This makes the first half efforts of a weakened Lions all the more praiseworthy.
Though they conceded 4 tries in the 1st half they scored one of their own; one of the best they have scored all season with a sweeping move from just outside the Lions 22 with a break by the half backs Williams and Wilson carried on by Dews and a pass to send Chance on a thrilling 50m sprint down the left touchline for a great try. The home touch judge said afterwards that this was only the 5th try conceded by Bridgnorth so far this season.
Until the last 5 minutes of the half we were actually in contention, a couple of Wilson penalties at one point seeing the Lions 11-10 ahead. Driving play by the forwards caused obvious frustration in the home ranks and it was only 2 mistakes, one a series of missed tackles down the Lions right and the other a ball mysteriously lost at the back of a ruck which saw Bridgnorth ahead by 20-11 at half-time.
The start of the 2nd half saw a tiring Lions subjected to massive pressure. The third quarter resulted in 3 tries and a conversion to leave the Lions, battered, bruised but unbowed, 37-11 down. Bridgnorth kept up the pressure and 3 more tries and a conversion saw them move further away.
A comprehensive defeat then, but one from which the Lions can take great heart. At no point did anyone bow down; heads were up and bodies were put on the line across the team. Indeed at the end the Lions were still attacking just outside the home 22 and were still tackling with relish.
Although this was a team effort there must still be special mention of a few. A young, relatively inexperienced front row gave as good as they got in both scrum and around the field. Ex first team lock John Taylor returned to start a game for the first time in 2 years and remind us all of the warrior he is by finishing the game still standing and defiant. Alongside him in the second row Matt Poole had a fine game, as did the back row of Meakin, O’Sullivan and Langdon. Rhys Williams, brought back from Loughborough, also had a fine game at 9.
You could argue that this was a chastening experience, coming a week after a thumping victory at Veseyans. However, there was much to commend the players, in attitude and skill, which gives confidence for the rest of the season and beyond. More have been blooded under extreme pressure, meaning a larger group of players to call on in key positions.
This Saturday is a break from league action as the Lions take on Market Bosworth of Midlands Two (East) North at home in the 3nd Round of the RFU Intermediate Cup a game that we can go into with some confidence after recent performances.

Jon Dews