After a much delayed RFU Appeals process, the National League 3 Midlands fixture list has been released today. Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club can therefore start its planning in earnest for the 2016/17 League campaign.

With 14 teams in the league, there are a total of 26 fixtures for Bees supporters to look forward to, as well as the prospect of entering the North Midlands Cup as current holders.

Promotion and relegation means that eight clubs that featured in NL3M last year – Bees, Lichfield, Longton, Nuneaton, Old Halesonians, Peterborough Lions, Sandbach and Syston – are joined by Bedford Athletic and Derby (both promoted from Midlands 1 East ), Bridgnorth (promoted from Midlands 1 West), Broadstreet (relegated from National 2 North ), Sheffield (level transfered from National League 3 North ) and Towcestrians (promoted from South West 1 East).

For the Bees, their campaign begins as it ended last season with an away trip to Syston on Saturday 3rd September, with their first home game of the season the following Saturday against Bedford Athletic (10th September). Their furthest foray north will be up to Sheffield (8th April), whilst the southern-most away-day will be a trip to East Midlands Cup winners Bedford Athletic in the last game before Christmas (17th December).

Of the 13 home games, the local derbies against Broadstreet (1st October), Lichfield (22nd October), Nuneaton (5th November) and Old Halesonians (11th March) particularly catches the eye, with the last game of the season also at home – against Syston – on 22nd April.

Commenting on the release of the fixture list, Birmingham & Solihull’s Head of Rugby Pete Glackin said, “If anything, the delay in confirmation of fixtures has only served to increase the anticipation of the new season ahead. It will once again be a highly competitive league with a fixture list packed full of tough games. Our pre-season training starts next week and, ahead of this, we have been actively building on the squad that finished so strongly last season to add further depth.”

Birmingham & Solihull First Team Fixtures 2016/17 National League 3 Midlands

3rd September Syston (A)
10th September Bedford Athletic (H)
17th September Towcestrians (A)
24th September Bridgnorth (A)
1st October Broadstreet (H)
8th October Derby (A)
22nd October Lichfield (H)
29th October Longton (A)
5th November Nuneaton (H)
19th November Old Halesonians (A)
26th November Peterborough Lions (H)
3rd December Sandbach (A)
10th December Sheffield RUFC (H)
17th December Bedford Athletic (A)
7th January Towcestrians (H)
14th January Bridgnorth (H)
21st January Broadstreet (A)
28th January Derby (H)
11th February Lichfield (A)
18th February Longton (H)
4th March Nuneaton (A)
11th March Old Halesonians (H)
25th March Peterborough Lions (A)
1st April Sandbach (H)
8th April Sheffield RUFC (A)
22nd April Syston (H)