Skurr: Try

National Division One
 
THE bonus point gained from this game could yet prove decisive in keeping the Tigers in ND1, although it could have been even better as the visitors bossed the game for long periods.

Played at a fast pace and in a buccaneering style, it certainly proved entertaining for the crowd, with mistakes made by both sides leading to scores at both ends.

It was no surprise that an element of luck would play its part and on five minutes a Sedgley kick downfield was collected and the kick returned, with a kind bounce giving possession to Bedford flanker Sacha Harding and he went over for the opening try, which was converted.

The Tigers battled away and on 28 minutes the back tow combined well to equal the scores. Adam Newton punted the ball into the Bedford half where it was scrambled into touch for a Sedgley lineout. Quick thinking saw Number 8 Jon Skurr throw in to skipper Jimmy Ponton and he drove over, with Phil Jones’ touchline conversion making it 7-7.

It was pretty even until five minutes before half-time, when a poor kick from Tigers’ fullback Matt Riley was claimed by home winger James Pritchard and he had the pace to evade his markers to run in try number two for the Blues to make it 12-7 at the break.

But within three minutes of the restart the Tigers took the lead. Jones kicked to the corner where Sedgley was awarded a scrum five metres from the Bedford line. The pack then drove over for Skurr to drop on the ball for the Tigers’ second try. A second long range Jones kick claimed the extras and the Tigers led 12-14.

Skurr was involved in the action again when he intercepted a Bedford pass and drove deep into the Bedford half; with the home side caught offside Jones kicked a 25-metre penalty to extend the Tigers’ lead to 12-17.

With the outcome still far from decided Bedford got the upper hand and this time pressure was turned into points by Number 8 Ben Pienaar who went over by the Sedgley posts to give  fly-half John Elrick a straightforward two-pointer to put his side back in front at 19-17.

Yet another poor Sedgley kick then handed fullback Brendan Burke a golden chance and he gladly took it to score out wide to make it 24-17.

However, the Tigers had not finished and intense pressure from the pack won a penalty 10 metres from the Bedford posts. With time running out Jones kicked it to guarantee a losing bonus point, although Tim Fourie and his charges came mighty close to claiming a hard-fought and what would have been a fully deserved win.
 
BEDFORD BLUES: Burke, Owen, Roberts, Allen, Pritchard, Elrick, Page, Volland, Sammons, Fortuna, Phillips, Brenton, Strauss, Harding, Pienaar.
Replacements: Richmond, Cecere, Comb, Mundy, Dickson, Patson, Moir.
Tries: Harding, Pritchard, Pienaar and Burke
Conversions: Elrick (1) and Pritchard (1).
 
SEDGLEY TIGERS: Riley, Hall, Craig, Briers, Van DeVenter, Jones, Albinson, Gazzola, Roddam, Halsall, Fourie, Norris, Newton, Ponton, Skurr
Replacements: Birchall, Roberts, Du Plessis, Townson, Crous, Leck, Payne.
Tries: Ponton and Skurr
Conversions: Jones (2)
Penalties: Jones (1)