BOURNVILLE HIT THE RIGHT NOTES IN STICKY CONDITIONS

After last week’s defeat to Sutton Coldfield Bournville had a difficult away trip to Walsall who are playing well this season. Walsall have only lost 1 game this year at home and will provide a stern test to a Bournville side looking to get back to winning ways. Phil Brown, Dai Hallmen and Carl Colvin were recalled to the starting line up with Argentine Federico Salcedo making his first start on the wing.

After a wet and cold morning the teams started the match with bright sunshine hopefully allowing for free running rugby.  Bournville began the game full of purpose, taking the game to Walsall with some direct running. Walsall were defending well and absorbing the pressure apart from 1 penalty, kicked just wide by Alex Warner. Walsall were gradually coming into the game with their 7 making a number of big tackles on Bournville’s forward runners. After another Bournville attack Walsall created a turnover just outside their 22. After quick hands they had the ball wide and in space having gone round the Bournville defence. Walsall scored the first try of the match slightly against the run of play to give them a 7 point lead. After this score Bournville carried on applying pressure to Walsall’s defence. They finally got the try they deserved from a well executed 8-9-15 play off the back of the scrum, scored in the corner by Dan Barratt.

After this try Bournville seemed to take their play up another gear and Rob Griffin, playing in the unfamiliar position of open side flanker burst through the Walsall defensive line. His pace took him to the full back and he had the peace of mind to give a subtle offload to the supporting Chris Humphrey for Bournville’s second try. Alex Warner converted but at a cost as he seemed to strain the hamstring that had troubled him in training all week. As the half moved on Walsall gained more possession and used their big front row to draw in Bournville’s defence before spinning the ball wide to their quick wingers. After a Bournville infringement close to their line Walsall took the points through the boot of their centre. Bournville were to have the final say of the half with another flowing move down the blindside. Alex Ward did well to avoid his tackler before completing a 2 on 1 for Dan Barratt to score his second try of the match. Rod Petty converted well having taken over kicking duties to give Bournville a 19-10 lead at half time.

The second half started slowly, with both teams feeling the pace from a frantic first half. Also as the pitch started to deteriorate the match became scrappy with both defences getting on top of their respective attacks. Hesy Fakatou looked his marauding best with a number of huge tackles on the Walsall runners and he was ably supported by Adrian Maynard when he came on.

As the final quarter began the match started to open again. Bournville’s forwards took the game to Walsall, with a series of short pick and drives close to their line. Walsall held firm but did concede a penalty which Rod Petty was happy to convert. After this Walsall came back at Bournville, sending their forward runners around the fringes of the rucks looking for any holes in the Bournville defence. After a quick tap penalty near the Bournville line Dai Hallmen was sin binned for hands in the ruck which gave Walsall the perfect opportunity to get back in the match. Walsall kicked the penalty to put them back within 9 points. Bournville defended well with Rod Petty and Alex Warner making numerous tackles around the fringes to make up for the one man disadvantage. Walsall kept attacking Bournville but seemed to run out of ideas of how to break down this sturdy defence. When Dai Hallmen returned to the pitch Bournville had 5 minutes to get another try to get the bonus point. Bournville pressed a tiring Walsall team and were rewarded as Carl Colvin went over under the posts for the bonus point try. This was converted by Rod Petty to give Bournville a well-deserved 29-13 win.

After the match Club Captain Paul Coles was pleased with the team, “I am really happy with today’s result. After last week and the injuries we are carrying it would have been easy to not perform against a strong Walsall side. I feel we put in a workmanlike performance the boys can be proud of and I hope we carry this on to the Bedworth game next week.”

The last fixture for 2011 is an away match against Bedworth. This was the first league fixture of the season for Bournville which was won 50-13.  Even though Bedworth sit bottom of the league Bournville will need to put in another top performance to keep the pressure on Sutton Coldfield at the top of the table.

Bournville line-up: 1. Paul Coles, 2. Phil Brown, 3. Ian Coles, 4. Simon Homer, 5. Dai Hallmen, 6. Hesy Fakatou, 7. Rob Griffin, 8. Nick Southern, 9. Rod Petty, 10. Alex Warner, 11. Federico Salcedo, 12. Carl Colvin, 13. Chris Humphrey, 14. Dan Barratt, 15. Alex Ward, 16. Rob Sigley, 17. Adrian Maynard, 18. Paul Cox STANDOUT PLAYERS: Hesy Fakatou & Carl Colvin 

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