The Nuns made changes from the team that lost their last league game to Birmingham & Solihull. There were 4 changes to the starting XV with Callum Grant- Smith, Matt Gibbs, Dan Southall and Rory Vowles coming in for Dan Oselton, Arron Turner, Todd Bullions and Tyler Price all missing out through injury. A changed bench had Josh Greatrix, Ryan Leake and Richard Johnston fit for action.

The Nuns didn’t take long to get on the scoreboard. Inside the first 2 minutes Apo Satala broke some weak tackling to drive upfield and Danny Southall smashed his way through the remaining Bournville defence to score an excellent try which was not converted. Just 3 minutes later the Nuns had their second try. After a penalty kick to the corner the Nuns ran through a weak tackling defence for Tom Smitham to score and Rory Vowles added the conversion. Five minutes gone and the Nuns had a 12 point lead. At last Bournville got their hands on the ball and after running the ball at the Nuns they won a penalty which fly half Andy Warner kicked. On 13 minutes the Nuns went further ahead. They stole Bournville’s lineout ball and when the maul collapsed near the try line the referee awarded a penalty try worth 7 points under the new law. Bournville then came more into the game and only strong defence and a good clearance kick by full back Harry Garforth relieved the pressure. Back came the visitors. When the Nuns failed to deal with a high kick the ball was fed to winger James Whybrow who sprinted in for a try which was not converted. More pressure on the Bournville defence saw Callum Grant-Smith get in the clear, break tackles to score an unconverted try. Ben Holmes was yellow carded on the stroke oh halftime and Warner kicked the resultant penalty. With a try bonus point in the bag the Nuns led 24-11 at the interval.

Down to 14 men for the start of the second half the Nuns denied the visitors any scoring opportunities and Holmes rejoined the fray. Satala continued to cause havoc to the Bournville defence with some strong running and offloads. On 51 minutes his hard work paid off as he set up a try for Vowles under posts and with the conversion the Nuns led by 20 points. Bournville continued to play hard as they went in search at least a bonus point. Their efforts paid off with a try for prop Terry Sigley as he forced his way over from short range. The conversion was missed. On 73 minutes Elliott Brown scored the best try of the game. From an “up and under” he won the ball inside his own half and set off on a 60 metre sprint down the wing to score a sensational unconverted try. Still Bournville came forward and were rewarded with their third try when the Nuns defence was stretched and Whybrow went over for his second try of the afternoon. Mitch McGahan took over kicking duties for the injured Warner and kicked the conversion from the touchline to bring the visitors to within 13 points, 36-23. As the visitors went in search of the score that would give them a bonus point, the Nuns broke out of defence. Good handling ended with replacement Ryan Leake feeding Scott Makepeace who went over near the corner. Kicking against the wind, Vowles’ conversion stalled in the wind, bounced on the crossbar, and went over to bring the afternoons scoring to an end and a comfortable win for the Nuns, 43-23.
A much needed win for the Nuns and one that could see them start on an extended unbeaten run.

Team.
Ben Holmes, Callum Grant-Smith, Jon Patemen, Matt Gibbs, Scott Makepeace, Rudi Reid, Danny Southall, Apo Satala,
Tom Smitham, Rory Vowles, Ollie Kitto, Tim Douglas, Elliott Brown, Jackson Hughes, Harry Garforth,
Bench.
Josh Greatrix, Ryan Leake, and Richard Johnston.

Bob Hansford
@nker radio 1386am & Online