Sat 14 Sep 2019
The first game of the season for Stourport RFC was away at Bishops Castle and the perfect opportunity for a coach trip. Family and friends joined the team on the bus to cheer them on and party after the match.
The long awaited kick off to the season didn't disappoint, both teams hitting hard and stretching their legs, playing hard hitting, flowing rugby.
The first big opportunity of the game came when SRFC won a penalty at half way, Captain Joe Churchill opting for the kick to the corner to take possession deep into the hosts half. From the resulting lineout, the visitors set up a maul to drive to the line. Falling short, the forwards relinquished control to the backs, who released outside centre Joe Andrews to bundle over the line under the posts. Successful conversion by Fly Half Sam Foley.
Repeat penalties from poor discipline gave Bishops Castle forwards the chance to drive over the line and start their scoring for the day. The momentum stayed with the hosts when some good footwork from their centre found him in space and he dotted the ball down for their second try.
Taking advantage of the hosts ill-discipline, Fly half Sam Foley stepped back up to the mark to get Stourport’s score board moving again by scoring a penalty kick just before half time.
While Stourport were still plagued by the penalty count in the start of the second half, their set piece play held firm, even dominating the Bishops Castle scrummage at times.
A dominant scrummage led to the visitors charging down a clearance kick and Captain Joe Churchill dotting down over the line. Only to be overturned by the referee moments later.
Fly half Sam Foley Stepped up again, after some good hands by the backs gave him the chance to dot the ball down over the line in the corner. Conversion missed.
Not one to let their heads drop, the hosts rallied and found themselves battering at the Stourport defences, finally finding an edge near the posts to bundle through for their 3rd score. Conversion successful.
The last quarter saw the hosts scrum come under extreme pressure, as Stourport won the ball 5 times against the head. This continued pressure sadly didn’t result in points as some good defence and some poor decision making meant the game ended with the hosts ahead by 4 points.
A disappointing end to a very competitive game, yet there are so many positives to take on into the season.
Thank you to Bishops Castle for nominating our man of the match, Open-side flanker Phill Maddicks and being great hosts as always.
