Fourth XV - Knights

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6th of February 2008

Bridgnorth 3rd XV 17 – 3 Bridgnorth 4th XV

  In the first of their biannual bouts the Bridgnorth Marauders stepped toe-to-toe with the Bridgnorth Knights and entered into what turned out to one of the most hard fought and intense games either team has seen so far this season.

With the Marauders receiving the kick they took the game into the Knights’ half were it remained for a good 15 minutes with rooks and mauls spilling across from one side of the pitch to the other and neither team gaining any advantage over the other.

Eventually, from a line-out, the Marauders were able slip possession out to their backs, where it passed through the hands at great speed before reaching the wing. With the ball in the hands of winger Morgan Whittle he managed to just squeeze past his opposite man to slither through for an unconverted try.

The Knights came back hard and made sure that play didn’t leave the Marauders’ 22 and it was only due to relentless defensive play that the Marauders were able to keep the Knights from scoring for so long.

However, a penalty was awarded 10 metres from the Marauders’ try line and directly in front of the posts and as the minutes to half time slipped by the Knights took a shot at goal which they secured to leave the half time scores at 5 - 3 to the Marauders.

As the second half began it was apparent that neither team had lost any of their aspiration for victory with fighting for possession even more intense than in the first half and play switching from each teams half faster than something fast.

Eventually the Marauders managed to secure and retain possession long enough to make use of it. Powerful rucking in the forwards, some returning from injuries sustained in the first half, created a gap in the Knights’ defensive lines.

Seeing this, Jerry Garcia took the Marauders’ backs through and popped the ball out to Rhys Jones, who snuck around the fringes of the Knights’ line to score the Marauders’ second unconverted try.

With only 10 minutes to go and the scores at 10 – 3 the match could still have ended a draw and with this thought the Marauders dug deep and pulled out the last of last reserves to vigorously attack the Knights’ try line.

A line-out on the Knights’ 10 metre line gave the Marauders the opportunity they had been looking for to ensure victory fell to them. Taking the ball into contact the Marauders were able to create openings and it was Andy Burton who, having peeled off the back of a maul, slipped through a gap to run the ball in for a try under the posts that was converted by Jerry Garcia.

In all, both teams fought non-stop for 80 minutes neither one willing to give up the battle until the final whistle blew. This will be a match that both teams will recall for many seasons to come, as the best 3rds Vs 4ths encounter ever and all can be proud of the effort that they put in to a match that was not only brilliant to play in, but also brilliant to watch.

© Bridgnorth Rugby Club