Bridgnorth hit top form to topple the table-toppers

The All Blacks served up their best performance of the season to secure a 34-25 victory and end Harlequins’ 100 per cent record.

Luis Evitt bagged two tries, with Loti Molitika, Jonah Boyce and a penalty try adding to the tally. Elliot Murphy added a penalty and two conversions.

Having seen two members of the coaching staff – Nick Selway and Alan Hubbleday – step away, director of rugby Dan Griffiths and coach Bryan Smallman are now calling the shots.

And the early signs show Bridgnorth are starting to get back to their best.

“There has been a lot of disruption over the last couple of weeks with coaches leaving and stepping down, but Dan Griffiths has taken the bull by the horns,” said Smallman.

“This was our best performance of the season and the words I used after to the players was that I was really humbled by the display. There was so much heart and determination in what they did.

“They put their bodies on the line and produced the performance we wanted and one that we knew they were capable of.

“They put us under pressure at times and they scored a couple of late tries which made the score look closer.

“They are a very good team but we managed to get good field position and dominated in the scrum.

“It was a fantastic day.”

Telford Hornets collected their third win of the Counties One Midlands West (North) season with an impressive 22-12 triumph over Stafford at the County Ground.

The Hornets started strongly and capitalised on their early dominance when full-back Joe Mattersall danced down the right touchline to score the opening try.

The reliable Dan Robinson stepped up with the conversion to provide the visitors with the perfect start.

Stafford were simply unable to contain an improving Telford outfit.

Scrum-half Ryan Edwards ran them ragged, and soon increased Telford’s advantage when he stole the ball from the base of the maul and dived over the line in the left-hand corner.

Telford capped a strong first-half performance by adding another try before the break when Jack Hause burst through three challenges to cruise over the line.

Stafford got off the mark with an unconverted try after the interval to reduce the deficit 17-5, although the Hornets soon scored their fourth try of the afternoon through Denham Samuels.

The hosts had been put to the sword by Telford but they did capitalise on an error to score their second try seven minutes from fulltime.

Telford remained disciplined for the closing stages to see out the victory, and leapfrog Stafford in the standings to climb into seventh.

The Hornets have now won back-to-back away games after defeating Camp Hill in their previous outing on the road.

They are next in league action at home to Harborne on Saturday, November 4.