Tamworth Off To A Winning Start

Tamworth opened their historic 23/24 season their first ever visit to level 6 of the RFU league pyramid by welcoming West Bridgford to Wiggington Park.
As the game got underway in unseasonably warm conditions if Tamworth had any nerves they didn’t show it taking the game to the visitors which paid dividends after just six minutes when a lineout move straight off the training paddock saw skipper Josh Roe break through an unsuspecting West Bridgford defensive line which did react hauling him up just short. Tamworth recycled the ball well though and moved it neatly through the hands Liam Saayman crossing the line. Danny Norton added the conversion and Tamworth were 7 points to the good.
Tamworth had to do some early readjustment when an injury to Norton saw him leave the field for treatment giving an earlier than expected first team debut to eighteen year old Jack Dalton.
The visitors levelled the tie when their centre intercepted a pass and sprinted fifty metres evading several tackle attempts to score under the posts 7-7
Tamworth then got a little breathing space on the scoreboard with two tries in three minutes both finished by marauding back rower Kit Smith who was already relishing life at level six causing real problems to the visiting side. 17-7
But if Tamworth had any ideas of pushing on and finishing the game comfortably from this point West Bridgford had other ideas snatching two tries of their own before half time to send the teams into the break level at 17-17 highlighting the fact that you can’t afford to take your foot off the gas at this level or you will be punished.
With those very words ringing in their ears Tamworth started the second period much as they had done the first piling pressure on the visitors and not really allowing them any meaningful possession to work with. The hosts edged in front with a penalty soon followed by a try from second row Liam McGreevy burrowing over from close range after a period of sustained pressure on the West Bridgford line. The extras were added by Norton returning to the fray after treatment. West Bridgford stayed right in the mix in what was becoming a fantastic contest for the neutral supporter with a try to make the score 27-22
Tamworth again extended their lead Smith completing his hat trick of tries powering over despite the best efforts of the visiting defence. Norton’s boot was again true with the conversion 34-22
It would be the visitors though that would complete the scoring with a converted try right on the final whistle to earn two well deserved bonus points.
It was Tamworth though that took the bonus point win to get life at level 6 off to the best of starts.
Final Score
Tamworth 1XV 34
West Bridgford 29