BOURNVILLE Assistant Coach Alex Grove was delighted that his side got two monkeys off their back by beating Devonport Services 47-29 in their final National Two West match of the season at the Rectory Field.
It was both Bournville’s first away win of the season and their first on a turf pitch since February 23 – and although it came too late to save them from relegation it meant that they avoided finish bottom of the table.
Bourns will return to the Regional Leagues in September, determined to regain National League status as quickly as possible and with some renewed optimism having produced some improved performances since former Scotland international centre Grove took charged following the departure of Matt Price in early March.
“It was almost more relief that we got the away win and that monkey off our back and we got that win on grass than we were happy about the actual win itself,” Grove said.
“I’m pleased for the boys because they go rewarded for their intent to play. You could say it was a dead rubber because teams were already relegated but actually the team that lost today finished bottom of the pile and we didn’t want that.
“We actually started this season quite well and that was on the back of winning the last three games last season. Just winning the last one and getting that monkey off our back is important going into next season.”
Grove is expected to remain in charge of Bournville for next season and as most of a squad he believes should have been good enough to stay in the National Leagues have already committed to stay at Avery Fields.
“I don’t consider ourselves unlucky. Every team looks back on the season and sees games that they could have won or, in their opinion, should have won and we are no different.
“Let’s assume they all cancel each other out. On balance we deserve to be where we are.
We have had opportunities to score tries but we haven’t and we’ve had opportunities to prevent tries but we haven’t.
“Particularly at the back end of the season it has caught up with us and allowed others teams who were chasing us – Macclesfield for example – to overtake us.
“I don’t think for a second we should be anywhere other than where we are. I have got a lot of confidence and faith in these players and, therefore, I think we could have done a lot better. I’m not saying we should have done but we could have done.
“The most positive things is that 99 per cent of these players are staying next season. They are a great bunch of boys who enjoy each other’s company.
“We want to enjoy ourselves next season and have some fun but we want to get back to winning some games which is the most important thing.”
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