Bridgnorth can get even better, says coach after Twickenham heartbreak

The All Blacks lost yesterday's RFU Intermediate Cup final 31-18 to Maidstone at the Home of Rugby in front of an audience of thousands.

It was the team's first competitive defeat in 38 matches – a run spanning more than a year which has already garnered a league title this season and a place in next Sunday's North Midlands Shield final.

Smallman said: "I think this is the start of something here. Next weekend is a big game, we will go to win that, and this is a platform to move the club forward.

"We will dust ourselves down, we will get back up and we will win that game, and it is just about building for the future now.

"We have got a group of very young players here and it is about the next five years.

"Maybe in five years' time when we are playing at a (higher) level we will look back at days like yesterday and think 'that set the foundation.'

"I think we are capable of being competitive in Midlands One West which we have been promoted to for next season. It is going to take two or three years to do that, and then from there that can be a platform for further success."

Smallman added that a poor start, which saw the All Blacks fall 24-0 behind in the opening half an hour against Maidstone had proved decisive.

But he was delighted with their improved second half showing, which saw both skipper Dan Griffiths and Will Biddell score late tries after profiting from driving mauls.

He said: "Maidstone are obviously a very good side and they set themselves up in the first half.

"It was just too far to come back after that but what a great performance by Bridgnorth in the second half.

"We asked ourselves to stand up and do the club proud and they did, but hats off to Maidstone. I think the best rugby team won.

"They controlled the collision area for most of the game and they shocked us in the first couple of minutes.

"That gave them a great foundation but it was a true reflection of the intensity they were playing with."

Fellow coach Bryan Smallman, Dale's brother, added: "The scoreboard wasn't pretty at half-time but we told them to have a lot of belief.

"They were probably feeling, not as though they had let themselves down, but you just need to get rid of the negative things so we just spoke about playing in the right areas, little details, moving the ball a bit quicker, and I thought that to win the game might have just taken three catch and drives.

"I couldn't fault the second half, which we won. We said at half time that the catch and drive and driving maul was something that they couldn't defend particularly well.

"We just needed to speed the ball up in the break down area and the midfield and we did it. The second half performance was bang on."

Bryan praised the display of vice-captain Will Biddell who scored 13 of Bridgnorth's 18 points on the day, saying: "He's a good hard-working lad, he'll always do his best and what a stage for him to score a try and kick some goals.

"I am delighted for him and the captain Dan Griffiths for nudging over as well. Those are things that will live with them forever now so hats off to them, they have worked hard for them."

Bridgnorth were backed by superb travelling army of supporters on the day and Griffiths said: "It's Unbelievable. The support we have had from the town, the papers, everyone has been behind us and we really showed the town's mentality. It is great to have such a following."