BOURNVILLE SHOW PASSION BUT SOFT TRIES COSTLY IN THE END

Bournville welcomed Sutton Coldfield to the University for the Biggest Game in both teams fixture list so far this season. Both had won all their games in the league and this fixture would go a long way to determining who would finish top of the pile come the end of the season. Bournville were able to recall Simon Homer and Adrian Maynard to the starting line up with Rod Petty returning to his familiar position of scrum half. A large crowd had assembled to watch this show piece game in the Midlands 1 league.

Bournville started off the better of the 2 teams keeping Sutton pinned in their own half. Bournville used their forwards to make headway into the Sutton 22 and try and work scoring opportunities. Sutton’s defence repelled a number of attacks but their attempts to spin it wide and run the ball from deep were met with fierce tackling from this Bournville side. Sutton were soaking up the pressure but gave away a couple of kickable penalties. Alex Warner stepped up against the swirling wind but both kicks narrowly missed. Sutton started to come into the game and their fly half was beginning to dictate play and kick Sutton into the right areas. Bournville defended well but one misplaced kick gave Sutton’s back three the perfect opportunity for a counter attack. One missed tackle later and Sutton’s winger was diving into the corner for the first try of the match which was well converted.

This score spurred Sutton on and they started to apply more pressure. Bournville defended valiantly but conceded a kickable penalty which Sutton’s fly half easily converted for a 10 point lead. Bournville needed to get back into the game and strong runs from Paul Cox and Hesy Fakatou drove them into the Sutton half. Sutton were considerably lighter up front compared to the Bournville pack and did well to stop their pick and drives so close to the line. They eventually gave away a penalty and Alex Warner kicked Bournville on to the scoreboard. Bournville seemed to be getting the upper hand but after a defensive kick and chase from Bournville’s back 3 Sutton’s fly half saw space in behind the defence. A beautifully weighted kick was collected by their winger who had the easiest run in for a converted try.  Bournville had the last say in the half with Sutton conceding another penalty which Alex Warner converted.

The start of the second half was action packed with Bournville needing to get back into the match. After some quick phase ball Bournville broke through the Sutton defence. The ball was then spun wide to Adam Coniff who was bought down just short of the line. At the breakdown Sutton’s hooker went straight over the ball, killing it and was subsequently shown a yellow card. The penalty was kicked to the corner and from the resulting line out Bournville set up a driving maul which was collapsed close to the Sutton line. The referee deemed it illegally bought down in the red zone and rightly showed a second yellow card in as many minutes to Sutton’s second row. With a 2 man advantage in the pack Bournville went for the pushover at the scrum and Nick Southern was the beneficiary with the try, well converted by Alex Warner.

Bournville saw this as their opportunity to take the lead and piled the pressure on the 13 man Sutton side. Sutton were camped on their line but their defence was holding strong. A couple of knock ons and a penalty came as Bournville were frustrated by a resolute Sutton defence. The best chance fell to Alex Ward who stepped past a couple of tackles to find himself in behind the Sutton defensive line. He then put in a wide pass towards Chris Humphrey with the try line beckoning but the pass was just too far in front of him and the opportunity went begging. 

Sutton soon returned to their full complement and started to come back into the match. Sutton were starting to find holes in a tiring Bournville team and soon found themselves at the try line. Sutton had a number of phases but the tackles were flying with Hesy Fakatou and Rob Griffin putting their bodies on the line to prevent Sutton scoring. Sutton eventually knocked on 5 metres from the line to give Bournville the ball but from the following scrum the ball shot out the back and Sutton’s scrum half was quickest to react and score a decisive try. This left the score at 24-13 to Sutton and Bournville needing a massive effort to overturn this deficit.  Bournville gave it everything but decision making seemed to be their downfall. Twice they broke through the Sutton defence but passes were not given and Sutton were able to snuff out the danger through their covering defenders. With time running out Sutton’s number 8 showed a great turn of pace to run 40 metres off the base of the scrum before being hauled down just short of the line. Sutton recycled the ball quickly and scored their bonus point try in the corner through their centre. This left the final score at 29-13 to Sutton Coldfield.
 
Bournville’s watching crowd were devastated at the result that now leaves them 7 points behind Sutton in the league. Injured Bournville hooker Dean Bick had this to say about the match, “It is never easy to watch your side lose went you can do nothing about it. I think the boys need to pick themselves up and remember there is a long way to go in the season. Sutton played well today and deserved their victory but when we get all of our injured players back I don’t see why we can’t turn them over at their place to make it a cracking end to the season.”

Bournville have a tough run before the Christmas break with away trips to Walsall, who are having a good season having only lost 3 fixtures this year followed by Bedworth. Bournville will be looking for the dynamic partnership of Head Coach, Rod Petty and Captain, Paul Coles to focus the guys t on the many positives despite the disappointing result and return them to winning ways next week.

Bournville line-up: 1. Paul Coles (c), 2. Ian Coles, 3. Rhydian Smith, 4. Simon Homer, 5. Hesy Fakatou, 6. Rob Griffin, 7. Adrian Maynard, 8. Nick Southern, 9. Rod Petty, 10. Alex Warner, 11. Adam Coniff, 12. Paul Cox, 13. Chris Humphrey, 14. Dan Barratt, 15. Alex Ward, 16. Rob Sigley, 17. Steven Rice, 18.  Federico Salcedo.

Match report by Dicko. Match pics by Sully - click here. League table - click here.