BEES PLEDGE “NO SURRENDER” AS THEY PLAN THEIR RELEGATION PLAYOFF CAMPAIGN
Birmingham & Solihull will face Moseley, Plymouth Albion and Esher in the Relegation Playoffs to determine if they will retain the Club’s RFU Championship status for next season. The Bees’ fate is very much in their own hands and the mood from Damson Park is one of defiant “No Surrender”.
Following Saturday’s rousing display and narrow 20-27 defeat against league leaders Worcester and the results from elsewhere in Championship, the Bees now can confirm their Playoff itinerary.
The four Clubs involved in the Relegation Playoffs will play each other home and away in the period between the second weekend in March and Saturday 16th April, with the side with the fewest points set for the drop into National Division 1. With one point only for each win secured in the first stage of the Championship carried forward into the Playoff stage, this means that the Bees go into the Relegation Playoffs with 4 points, Moseley with 5, Plymouth Albion on 6 and Esher on 7 points.
The Bees will start their campaign with a home game at Damson Park against Esher on Sunday 13th March (KO 1pm), before making the short trip over to Billesley Common for the local derby against Moseley on either Friday 18th or Saturday 19th March (date of fixture to be confirmed by Moseley).
The following week sees a longer trip down to the West Country to face Plymouth Albion on Friday 25th March (KO 7.45pm), with Graham Dawe’s team making the return trip up to the Midlands the following Friday, 1st April (KO 7.45pm).
Moseley are the next visitors to Damson Park on Sunday 10th April (KO 2pm), before the Bees travel South to face Esher in the sixth and final Playoff game on Saturday 16th April (KO 3pm).
“We have made great strides this season on so many levels, despite finishing bottom of the league in the first phase of the Championship, so this is no ‘Great Escape Part 2’” said Bees’ Director of Rugby Russell Earnshaw.
“We have shown this year, against sides like Worcester, Bristol, Doncaster, Rotherham and Esher, that we are good enough to be in this league and we are not going to surrender our Championship status without a fight. Hence the phrase ‘No Surrender’ will be the rallying call throughout our Relegation Playoff campaign.”
The Bees have a final B&I Cup match at home to Rotherham Titans this Sunday, 27th February at Damson Park (KO 3pm), with the squad having a well earned rest the following weekend, before the all important first Playoff game against Esher.
Season ticket holders are entitled to free entrance to all three home Playoff games, whilst supporters can also pre-order their tickets for home games by calling Ben Seifas on 0121 705 0409 or by emailing him at ben.seifas@beesrugby.com. There are also a number of hospitality and sponsorship options available for the three home games, with information again from Ben Seifas.