Bridlington RUFC 36 v 7 Bradford & Bingley RUFC
By Alexander Fynn
With the conditions wet and muddy, Bridlington RUFC made it a fourth successive home win by overcoming Bradford & Bingley with an outstanding 36–7 victory.
With heavy rainfall in the first half, Bridlington handled the conditions better, dominating possession and controlling the ruck.
The first half was all about possession and territory, although it was Blake Hereora who was able to get the ball out from a lineout. Liam Braithwaite drove forward, passed back to Hereora, and he charged over the line to open Brid’s account. Jack Lee added the extras.
With conditions deteriorating underfoot, Bradford & Bingley had a chance to equalise. Sammy Wild sent a cross-field kick to Curtis Hanson; however, he knocked the ball on, earning the home side a scrum.
Both teams continued to battle in the boggy conditions, although with 15 minutes remaining in the first half, Tom Benninger made a great run, supported by Ed Armstrong, who gained valuable metres. Bridlington were awarded a penalty, and Lee converted, making it 10–0.
Hereora scored his second try of the afternoon from a penalty. Kees Miller produced a powerful drive and offloaded to Hereora, extending Bridlington’s lead. Jack Lee again added the extras.
Just before the break, tensions began to flare for both sides, with players clashing and strong words exchanged, but Bridlington went into half-time with a commanding advantage.
Bradford & Bingley reduced the deficit shortly after the restart. Ben Hemsley kicked ahead, chased his own kick, and scored, with the extras added. The home side, though, remained superior in the scrums, and Bridlington’s forwards worked hard to maintain dominance.
Tempers flared at times in the second half, although the referee managed to bring the game back under control.
Bridlington responded through Callam Sanderson, who scored his first try of the afternoon from a rolling maul, although this time Lee’s kick was unsuccessful.
The home side continued to push and were rewarded through Joe Nellist, again from a rolling maul. Jack Lee was on target to add the extras, taking the scoreline to 29–7.
The visitors’ Oliver Leadbeater was sent to the sin bin for dissent towards the official.
Bridlington, however, were not finished and went on to score from a goal-line drop-out. Tom Harwood collected the ball and went the distance to score an excellent solo try, with Lee converting.
With scrums becoming uncontested in the second period due to an injury to a visiting prop, Bradford & Bingley gained a slight advantage, although the home defence remained firm.
Bridlington handled the conditions superbly to make it four home wins on the bounce against an overall disorganised Bradford & Bingley side.
After the match, Callam Sanderson said:
“It was definitely a game for the rugby purists. Obviously it was really wet and heavy underfoot, and we handled the conditions really well – very similar to last week – playing as much rugby as we could in the opposition’s half and the least in our own. We dominated them in our forward pack, which is becoming a real weapon now. We work a lot on our set pieces in training; we’ve identified it as our main strength now.
“To be fair to Bradford & Bingley, they fronted up quite well, and with the injuries they had, we were able to dominate. I thought Jack Lee played really well today, stepping in at 10. Jamie Martin was physical against his old club, so he’ll be happy with the win. I also thought Tom Harwood played really well across the park and Tom Benninger made some really good runs.
“We’ve already beaten Roundhegians in the cup this season, so I’m hoping we can go there and repeat that. It would be really pleasing if we can go three weeks on the trot beating the big sides in the competition.”
