Loughborough RFC come up just short against the league leaders

LOUGHBOROUGH RFC 10

WEST BRIDGFORD 23 LOUGHBOROUGH RFC put in a solid performance against league leaders West Bridgford but were not able to convert possession into points and ultimately went down 23–10 in what was an enthralling contest.

Despite the cold and damp conditions, both teams went at each other full of aggression and purpose in the first match since the Christmas break.

The visitors took the lead early opting to take a shot at goal after kicking a succession of penalties to the corner and coming up with nothing due to the home side’s iron defence.

For the next 20 minutes it was all Loughborough, the forwards and backs pounding the West Bridgford line with wave after wave of attack. The vital score did not come quickly however.

Again Loughborough’s pack was dominant at scrum time, constantly causing the opposition front row to buckle under sustained pressure. However, the referee deemed that no infringement was severe enough or close enough to the West Bridgford line to award a penalty try or a yellow card despite many of these penalty offenses being committed on the opposition’s 5 yard line.

Eventually though the defensive line was broken and Borough’s pack bulldozed another scrum over the line with Kieran Hewgill dropping on the ball to score and make it 5-3.

The remainder of the half was a case of missed opportunities and solid defence as both teams strove to keep the other out. But late on Loughborough’s defence was breached, West Bridgford scoring a well worked try out wide to take an 11-5 lead into the break.

The beginning of the second half mirrored that of the first in respect of Loughborough’s dominance up front. This resulted in a try for Thomas Kirkby who nipped round the fringe of a breakdown to make it a one point game.

Loughborough continued to press with strong carries from Rhys Kearton and Harry Mitchell in the middle of the park consistently testing the visitor’s defence. However it was illdiscipline which let West Bridgford back in.

A penalty midfield allowed the opposition 10 to pin Boro back in their 22. From here the West Bridgford pack caught and drove, built up a head of steam and powered over for an unconverted try and a 16-10 lead.

Loughborough pressed forward again but with play in the midfield, both supporters and players alike had assumed the ref had seen Jamie Grice successfully get his hands on the ball at a ruck and would blow for a penalty in favour of the home team for holding on – he did not. Moments later Boro conceded a penalty and from the ensuing line out, West Bridgford powered over again from short range for the score. A succession conversion made it 23-10 at the final whistle.

Despite defeat, Loughborough should take enormous confidence from the game playing the team that is running away with the league - the pack was dominant and the backs looked sharp and dangerous.