BOURNVILLE WIN TO CONSOLIDATE LEAGUE POSITION

Bournville came away from their longest away journey of the season with a 50-point victory to consolidate their second-placed position in Midlands West One. Rob Sigley was able to recall Carl Colvin to the starting line-up, replacing Iestyn Pratt on the wing. Pratt was joined on the bench by fellow Welshman Dai Hallmen who was returning to action after a period of unavailability.

In wet conditions, Bournville started the stronger of the two sides. The forward pack was at its dominant best and continued to drive their opposition back in the lineout. The scoring was opened by when good forward play dragged in the opposition defence allowing full-back Chris Humphrey to score in space out wide. The conversion was missed by Alex Warner but Bournville had signalled their early intent.

More excellent work in the line out saw star prop, Ian Coles add to his account for the season and burrow over from close range. This time Warner’s kick was successful giving Bournville a 12-0 lead. Tries from wingers Carl Colvin and Adam Coniff sandwiched a penalty kick by the home side to further extend the Bournville lead to 24-3 with a successful Warner conversion.

After the break, Bournville continued their dominance and refused to allow Cheltenham North any field position. Chris Humphrey started the second half as he had the first with another try following more good forward work. Then Rob Griffin, who excelled in the second row, crossed to give Bournville a 38-3 lead following Warner’s two conversions.

Having put the result beyond doubt, Bournville appeared to relax as the half progressed. A series of handling errors as the conditions deteriorated stopped any further scores until the last fifteen minutes of play. Substitute Iestyn Pratt added a score following a good kick from Robbie Harlow and then good link up play from stand-out player Adam Cristol put Patrick Faamu in space to score out wide.

The final gloss was put on the performance with the last player when prop Paul Coles added to his brother’s earlier exploits to add his own five-pointer. After the match, stand-out player Adam Cristol commented, “All the lads are please with the result today. This is one of our furthest away trips of the season so to come away with such a good result is fantastic.”

Next week Bournville are again on the road with an away fixture at Stoke.

Bournville line up: 1. Paul Coles, 2. Dean Bick, 3. Ian Coles, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Rob Griffin, 6. Adam Cristol, 7. Tom McIntosh (c), 8. Nick Southern, 9. Robbie Harlow, 10. Alex Warner, 11. Carl Colvin, 12. Patrick Faamu, 13. John Ball, 14. Adam Coniff, 15. Chris Humphrey, 16. Rob Sigley, 17. Dai Hallmen, 18. Iestyn Pratt