Bridgford had been forced into making some changes from the side that beat Lincoln due to injuries and unavailabilities with Dave Watson returning to full back, Ben Goulding getting his first run in the 1st team this season and 17 year old Ben Cullerton getting his first team debut on the wing.

Once the whistle went Bridgford started to push the Retford defence and had their first try of the afternoon after 2 minutes with Ash Watts (sponsored by DWB Electricals), The try being set up following a break by Greg Hill through the heart of the East Retford defence.
The next 15 minutes saw both sides looking to take control of the game with the Bridgford back line continuing to cause the Retford defence problems.
Retford began to take control of the scrum and managed to turn over the ball but the Bridgford defence held firm with some strong tackling.

Bridgford’s next score came from broken play. The ball looking more like a piece of soap than a rugby ball was finally gathered by Josh Poole who cut his way through to score under the posts.

The next score was set up by Ben Cullerton, who’s confidence was growing as the game progressed. Retford kicked long downfield and Cullerton caught the ball on the half way. From there he passed to the supporting Dave Watson who in turn found Ben Goulding, who made the break down the touchline. Retford’s cover stopped Goulding in the Retford 22 but they were unable to secure the ball. The loose ball ended up over the Retford try line where Josh Poole pounced on it to score his second try of the afternoon.

The next try was a forwards effort. A good catch from Darren Burley and a drive from a linout in the Retford 22 saw Jon Towndrow going over for his first try of the season.

Greg Hill scored his first try of the game, following a break from Sam Britton, outpacing the Retford defence. Shortly after, following a solid Bridgford Scrum, Greg Hill set up Ben Hellier to score.

Greg Hill then scored his second try of the afternoon. Dave Watson returning a long kick downfield to set up a maul on the Retford 10 yard line. From the maul the ball coming down line to Greg Hill who cut through to run in for the try.

From the restart Bridgford ran back at the Retford line. Darren Tustin taking the ball and finding Jon Bam Bam Strickland, who then passed to the supporting Ben Cullerton, who beat 2 covering defenders to score on his debut.

Then came the green T-shirt moment of the day. Sam Britton running 50 metres to outpace all bar one of the Retford defence, failed to find the supporting players around him to get held up 2 metres from the line, and then being penalised for holding on to the ball in the tackle.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first. Bridgford scored early with Ben Hellier find a gap to break through for the try.

Retford then had their best period of the game and it required a try saving tackle from Rob Linthwaite and Rob Sutton to prevent them from crossing the Bridgford line.

A flashpoint which could be described by some as handbags, appeared to galvanise the Bridgford side as they went back to playing simple running rugby and scored 6 tried in the last 15 minutes.

The first was set up by Ben Cullerton who took a quick lineout. The ball being passed along the back line for Ben Goulding to go over for the try.

The next try was from the restart. Darren Burley taking the ball low to the ground passed on to Ash Watts who at this stage of the game was playing as an extra centre. He in turn passed to Rob Sutton who ran it in from 60 metres.

The next score again involved Ash Watts.Ben Goulding making the break down the wing to pass inside to Ash Watts who in turn then passed to Darren Burley to score.

Jon Towndrow then went over for his second try of the game. From a ruck the ball coming out to Phil Reeves (sponsored by Hooters of Nottingham) and then to Ash Watts. Watts then took the ball downfield to pass to the supporting Darren Burley who in turn passed inside to Ben Goulding. With one man to beat Goulding drew the defender to give Jon Towndrow an easy finish.

Rob Sutton scored his second despite his best attempts to juggle with the ball as he went over the line following good work from Jack Cooke.

Rob Sutton then finished the game by getting his hat-trick. Man of the match, Jon Bam Bam Strickland, making another great run, which set up a ruck from which the ball went wide to Rob Sutton to cross the line.

Dave Watson kicking the conversion to make it 10 out of 15 attempts for the afternoon.

Overall a good performance with some strong running particularly from Steve Corban, Greg Hill, Ash Watts and Jon Bam Bam Strickland. Credit also to East Retford side for competing for the full 80 minutes.