After progressing to the final of the North Midlands Plate, Bridgnorth Rugby Club’s U16s headed to Kidderminster RFC to face Worcester with three star players from Bridgnorth Endowed’s Year 11.
Tom Casswell, Jake Francis and Louis Jordan, along with the rest of the team, have enjoyed a fantastic run and were all set to deliver a season finale that promised plenty of drama.
The first half was an even-sided affair with one converted try apiece by half time. The only difference in the score-line was a penalty taken by Tom Casswell, leaving the score at 10-7 to Bridgnorth.
The second half started with the opposition pressing hard on the Bridgnorth try-line and, after a number of infringements by Bridgnorth, they crossed the line with an unconverted try. Worcester were back on the attack again after an intercepted pass and soon put more points on the board.
At 17-10, Worcester were having the run of the green and another converted try soon followed, leaving Bridgnorth 14 points adrift with only 15 minutes remaining on the clock.
After restart, Bridgnorth put great pressure on the opposition and gained valuable territorial advantage. They pressed home and were soon rewarded with a try by Tom Casswell, which he converted himself to bring the score to 24-17.
Although time was running out, Bridgnorth kept the pressure on and, after fierce attack and defensive work, the Bridgnorth fly-half threaded his way through the defensive line and scored another try that Tom converted to set up a thrilling last five minutes.
Bridgnorth now had the sniff of victory and they pressed home again at the Worcester try line. With only two minutes to go, the Bridgnorth fly-half again made a telling break and, ever-present, Tom Casswell was on the end of his pass to smash his way over the line for the winning try.
It was an incredible comeback from 14 points down, but it was the work of the forwards that set the platform for the final attack. Both Louis Jordan and Jake Francis kept the pack tight and the scrum solid and helped set up the try that secured the 31-24 win.
Congratulations to the team, who can now enjoy the summer break knowing they are winners.
