The Nuns difficult start to the season continued with a third league defeat of the season going down 48-17 away to early season pace setters Bromsgrove.

Two changes in the forwards and two in the backs from last weekend saw Sam Wallis and Ryan Iles step up from the bench for Ben Haywood (injured knee) and Jack Iles (unavailable) at second row and back row respectively. Mike Volaikisuva started at scrum half for Andy Murray (unavailable) and Darcey Bunce made his debut at full back for Harry Pipe (unavailable). Rhys Astin and Turner Jones, on debut, came onto the bench for the first time this season.

The game started well for the Nuns and after some early possession and control they took the lead with a 5th minute penalty from Brindley, 0-3.

However, almost immediately from a line out the home side got themselves right back in the game with a long range try from their powerful back rower. From a line out they sent him on the charge and he broke through a number of tackles to score from half way, 5-3 on 7 minutes.

The Nuns got themselves into some good positions at times throughput the half but couldn’t retain possession at crucial time’s whilst also lacking some punch in their attack to make the opportunities count.

In defence they were too passive at times and allowed the hosts to get on the front foot too often. They took three further chances to score in the 14th, 23rd and 28th minute to extend the lead to 24-3.

The Nuns turned around at half-time knowing that they needed to get back in to the game early as well as try and put a lot more pressure on the hosts. And they did just that.

From a line out on half-way scrum-half Volaikisuva made a break and took the ball deep into the Bromsgrove 22m. After a few phases of tight play Tyler Freeman scored from close range with Brindley adding the conversion to move the score to 24-10 after 42 minutes.
The Nuns continued to keep pressure on the host team with some strong ball carries and some front foot defensive play. Winning a number of penalties and opting for the lineout they couldn’t quite get another score.

But they didn’t back down and on 53minutes added to the total. James Astin carried well into the 22m and as the ball was moved across the pitch for Tom Aherne to carry through and score. With another Brindley conversion the Nuns were right back in the game at 24-17.

But, as in the first half the Nuns let the hosts straight back in with some poor defence. The lead was now 31-17 after 55 minutes.

Both sides jostled for territory and it was Bromsgrove who extended their lead in the 63rd minute when they chose to kick a penalty to move themselves three scores clear. This was a body blow for the Nuns and, as the match wore on, the host added two more converted tries in the 68th and 75th minute whilst the Nuns picked up a yellow card in the 67th minute.

Reflecting on the game, Head Coach Huw Thomas added “We didn’t really get going first half after the first few minutes and gave them too much front-foot ball which they took advantage of and pushed ahead. We asked the players to be more assertive in the second half and they got themselves right back into the game. If we could have got another score in the early parts of the second half I think they may have also gone down to 14 men and it would have been a different last 20. But, we didn’t and we also gave them three easy scores which we simply cannot do against quality sides. The blank weekend gives us chance to review and preview moving forward and get back to work.”

1 Ryan Marsh 2 Louis Addleton 3 Harvey Matkin 4 Tom Aherne 5 Sam Wallis 6 Ryan Iles 7 Toby Dearden 8 Arron Skyrme 9 Mike Volaikisuva 10 Lucas Brindley 11 James Astin 12 Tom Eales 13 Theo Knight 14 Tak Chawadya 15 Darcey Bunce 16 Tyler Freeman 17 Rhys Astin 18 Turner Jones