Bournville 31-40 Silhillians

From the Bournville website...

At last, no rain, the Bournbrook pitch in great shape and all was set fair. However the script went AWOL and Bourns produced their worst home performance at the wrong time of the season coupled with some great tenacity by the visitors.

Bourns had a few missing through varying reasons, but the team was still strong. Front row was the main issue, Terry Sigley moved across the scrum to loose head, newly selected North Mids u/20 hooker Conor Thorneycroft gained more first team experience and Adam Woodfield regained his place at tight head. Steve Handy started in the row after some excellent appearances from the bench. Young flanker James Atkinson having impressed in the second team, was given a chance to taste rugby at this level by having a bench place. Josh Machin filled the FR replacement role.

Bourns had more than the lions share of possession in the first 10 minutes. They won every line out on the opposition throw and only good defence made sure Bourns didn't score early. Sills first venture into the opposition half came from 2 home errors saw and saw them force a scrum 15 meters out. Bourns put a shove on but the No 8 controlled and picked up. Some weak tackling allowed a pass to the winger who made the score. Bourns responded and a classic catch and drive at the line out saw flanker Chris Morgan conduct the drive from the rear and touch down.

Poor clearance kicking and decision making coupled with some wayward passing gave Sills 3 chances to score in the last 10 minutes of the half which they all took, so Bourns up against it 26-5 down at home. Captain Rob Griffin had to leave the fray suffering from flu which allowed Tom Holliday to come on to add his considerable bulk to proceedings.

The first 18 minutes of the second half saw almost perfect rugby from Bournville as they got their game heads on and produced the play they are capable of and do in training. Firstly some quick phases and quick hands saw Paul Sumner go over in the corner. Another catch and drive scored again by Chris Morgan and then a bizarre moment when the Sills scrum half took exception to Woz Oliver and threw the ball at his head in the in-goal area. Woz tried to retrieve the ball and the 9 kicked the ball hitting the ref. Woz took a quick tap and went over and the ref issued the 9 with a yellow. So 19 points clawed back bringing it back to 24-26. More of the same was required but Bourns then lost the plot, and committed hari-kari in their own 22 flinging a hail mary pass across the 22 to no-one in particular except three Sills players one of which said thank you very much and flopped under the posts. Soon after they constructed a good try with the number 8 cutting a line, but the previous tackling in the move left a lot to be desired. So good work undone to leave Bourns trailing 24-40 in the last 10 minutes. Bourns did stage a grand stand finish. Another catch and drive was pulled to the ground and a penalty try was awarded to make it 31-40. Sills were hanging on conceding several penalties but poor game choices meant Sills had the win by fantastic defence in the first quarter and taking their chances that Bourns presented them.

The loss is not a great disaster as the play off place is still to be taken and Bourns will do it provided their final 6 games produce positive results. Defence needs some attention this week in training.

Steve Handy was star man for consistent driving play making many meters in territory. Youngsters Thorneycroft and Atkinson continue their education at this level and were sound which bows well for the future.