Castle Donington v West Bridgeford 3rds

Another sunny day saw Donington host West Bridgeford  3rds for the second league match of the season. Donington applied all of the early pressure and after five minutes, were rewarded with a pushover try touched down by No8 Dan Keeling and converted by Sam Halford for a 7-0 lead.

Shortly after, a Bridgeford prop was involved in a clash of heads and complained of double vision. The referee adjudged the player to have concussion and sent him off, leaving the replacement-less Bridgeford down to fourteen men. If anything, this cemented Bridgeford and they matched Donington in scrummage and open play. The remainder of the first half passed without points, largely due to solid defence from both sides.

Bridgeford  came strong at Donington from the kickoff and indiscipline from Donington gave a kickable penalty in front of the posts, allowing Bridgeford back into the game, and resulting in a "sin bin" lasting fourteen minutes. 7-3

A more determined Donington regrouped and pushed deep into Bridgeford territory resulting in scrum half Max Shaw picking from a ruck and diving over for a much needed try. The conversion charged down by Bridgeford 12-3.

More indiscipline from Donington resulted in another "sin bin", this time lasting fifteen minutes and another kickable penalty, 12-6

Regaining composure, Donington pushed back into Bridgeford territory with some excellent interplay, and a hard charging Ady Hacket barging through the Bridgeford defence to score a magnificent, but unconverted try and a bit of breathing space at 17-6

Donington relaxed a little too much, and several poor tackles allowed the Bridgeford winger to run from halfway, to score a superb, unconverted solo try 17-11 (GAME ON)

Bridgeford, sensing a possible victory, threw everything at Donington, only being stopped short of the line several times by some brave Donington tackling. A clearance kick from Donington was chased and scooped up by Julian Valentine, starting a series of passes and wonderful support from prop Mark Laxton, who crashed through the Bridgeford defence to seal the win with a tremendous unconverted try.

Final score: Castle Donington 22/ West Bridgeford 11

 

Man of the Match: Alex Hooley