Lions 7 - 47 Bridgnorth

Match date	Saturday October 11, 2008
Match time	15:00
Match location	Away
Team	Lions
Opponent	Bridgnorth

This was the first league fixture between Stourbridge Lions and Bridgnorth, and with both teams having won two games, and lost two games, it promised to be a close match.

Bridgnorth started the stronger, and dominated the early scrums, putting pressure on the Lions line. Eventually after the third scrum, Bridgnorth picked up the ball from the back of a ruck and the first try was scored under the posts, this was duly converted.

The Lions scrum sorted their early problems out, and the forwards started to get into the game making a number of strong runs, unfortunately nothing came from these, and Bridgnorth settled into their game plan of keeping the ball tight in the forwards and kicking the ball deep into the Lions half to be chased by their backs whenever they were under any pressure

An early substitution was enforced with Matt Pool damaging a shoulder and he was replaced by Jake Priest.

A Bridgnorth back broke through the Lions defence, and was valiantly pulled down short of the line, only for the ball to be popped up to a supporting player, and Bridgnorth to score their second try of the game, and this was successfully converted.

Just before half-time, Bridgnorth scored again.

Half-time
Bridgnorth 19 - Stourbridge Lions 0

The Lions started the second half with more control, as they were more aggressive and purposeful than the first half, but lack of numbers at the break down, and good counter rucking from the home side turned promising Lions possession over a number of times.

From one of these turnovers, a Bridgnorth back broke through the Lions defence, running the ball 50 metres, and a try was scored from the resulting ruck. Again the conversion was successful.

Lions started to have their strongest period in the game, a good break was made by Ben Perks deep into the opposition 22. A penalty was won and Bridgnorth were temporarily reduced to 14 men, with their stand off receiving a yellow card.

The Lions put pressure on the Bridgnorth line, and this was eventually rewarded when a Lions planned backs move didn't go to hand, but in the confusion Coxy kicked the ball over the Bridgnorth line. He successfully managed to touch it down, and this was successfully converted.

Lions substitutions were made with Tom Jew, and Paul Turner coming on for Coxy and Paul Meakin.

The Lions then found themselves temporarily down to 13 players, with Adam Smith yellow carded, and Jake Priest injured with no more players left on the bench.

Bridgnorth took advantage, working a well planned backs move breaking through the Lions defence and scoring. Again the conversion was successful.

Bridgnorth added to their tally, with a well planned back row move going blind, and another try was scored by the home side just before the final whistle.

Final score 48 - 7