Burntwood RUFC slipped into the bottom two in the table after this latest defeat.
They were in contention at half time only trailing 12-6 but two tries in the opening 12 minutes of the second half proved too big a deficit to overhaul.
The visitors led after five minutes courtesy of a penalty goal from Matt Wood but the lead was short-lived as Bridgnorth went 7-3 ahead just a minute later. They kept the ball alive well, popping the last pass out of a tackle for the touch down and an excellent conversion.
Their second try on 15 minutes came from a Burntwood error. Wood kicked a penalty award to the home 10 metre line but the line out was overthrown and the Bridgnorth backs combined well for the score.
Graham Shelley’s side finally gained some momentum in the second quarter. Wood pushed a penalty goal attempt to the right of the posts after a good run by Craig Seedhouse had earned the chance. Then Ollie Whitehouse and Wood made good progress from the restart but the pass back inside to Mark Thomas was adjudged forward.
Wood was successful with a well-struck penalty goal after 31 minutes but the Burntwood defence was tested right on the stroke of half time. They kept the home side out but conceded a kickable penalty. Fortunately for them it was off target.
Bridgnorth had the first decent attack of the second period but knocked on. Then it was driving play from Thomas and skipper Shelley which looked promising for Burntwood. Seedhouse chipped into the home 22 but the danger was cleared.
The hosts went up a gear and went close twice before extending their lead on 48 minutes. An angled run following a scrum close to the visitors’ line produced a try scored by the posts. A straightforward conversion made it 19-6.
The home side were almost in again straight from the restart. The right winger escaped down the touchline and it needed frantic defence to stop him. However, he earned good field position for his forwards who scrummed deep in the visitors’ 22.
Burntwood defended well from the first scrum but the hosts were over for their bonus point try with a well-worked blind side move following a second scrum.
Burntwood had the better of the play around the hour mark. Bridgnorth conceded penalties to keep them in their own half but the visitors failed to cash-in mainly due to knocking the ball on at crucial moments.
The visitors threatened at another scrum five metres off the Burntwood line with 10 minutes to go but good defence earned a penalty to clear the danger.
Shelley’s side finally clicked with just four minutes left. The forwards drove the ball before feeding the backs. Wood looped round and found winger Rob England in the line. He fed Luke Briggs who reached the line for the try.
Wood added a fine conversion from wide out to give his side the outside chance of a losing bonus point but this evaporated when they conceded a penalty in the home half and then Shelley finishing the match prematurely when shown a yellow card.
All of Burntwood’s senior fixtures are TBA for November 26. The first team squad therefore have an extra week to prepare for the challenge of welcoming champions-elect Stoke-on-Trent to The Sportsway on December 3.
Click to see more of Joanne Gough’s pictures from this game.