Shropshire Star

Bridgnorth target one more scalp

Boss Bryan Smallman admits Bridgnorth are hunting one final scalp when they face Midlands Premier leaders Scunthorpe tomorrow.

Published

The All Blacks head to north Lincolnshire for the penultimate game of the season knowing they could have a major say in the outcome of the title race.

Hosts Scunthorpe currently hold a two-point lead over second-placed Luctonians, with only the champions guaranteed promotion.

Bridgnorth, who sit fifth, have enjoyed an excellent season which also saw them lift the North Midlands Cup for the first time in their history.

But Smallman claims his players remain determined to finish with a flourish.

He said: “The message very much echoing around the dressing room is that we want to end the season on a high.

“We are not going to Scunthorpe just to make up the numbers.

“Can we be the team which beats them and has a say in where the title ends up?

“They are the only other team in the top five we have failed to beat this season, so the motivation is there. There’s still a chance of finishing fourth too.

“I’ve also had a message from the head coach at Luctonians, who is hoping we can do them a favour as well.

“We know it is going to be very tough. Scunthorpe will be right up for the game as you would expect and we will have to be at our very best if we are going to get anything.”

“But it is also one of those occasions when we can upset the apple cart if we put in a strong performance.”

A Bridgnorth victory might also keep alive the slender promotion hopes of county rivals Newport heading into the final week.

Yet while not mathematically out of the running, director of rugby Bob Adams has already accepted his team need a minor miracle following a run of four defeats in the last six games.

Tomorrow he wants them to take their frustrations out on Derby, who beat them earlier in the campaign.

“That is one of the games which eventually came back and bit us,” he said. “We didn’t lose out on promotion by getting beaten at Burton last week, the damage had already been done.

“It was in our hands and we let it slip.

“The aim now is just to try to finish the season as strongly as possible. We have two games left and we want to win them both.”

In Midlands One West, Whitchucrh welcome champions Bromsgrove.

Midlands three West (North) champions Shrewsbury will be aiming to extend their perfect record when they host Cleobury Mortimer.