Bees edge out a plucky Newport (Salop) in North Midlands Cup Final

The Bees ended their, at times, turbulent season on a high by winning the North Midlands Cup on Sunday.

The final against Newport (Salop) was actually a draw, with both sides level at 20-20 at full time. However with the cup final rules stating that no extra time could be played, the contest was decided, in somewhat chaotic circumstances, on the number of tries being scored – Newport losing out by two scores to three.

League form can often go out of the window in cup finals and relegated Newport (Salop) pushed seventh-placed Birmingham & Solihull all the way in a game that was hardly a classic.

Newport winger Liam Holder was first on the score sheet after 11 minutes, finding space in the left hand corner. The try – which he adroitly converted - was just reward for the Shropshire side’s early dominance of possession and territory.

A Mitch McGahan penalty pegged the score back to 7-3, but the margin was soon restored to seven points thanks to boot of Holder after the Bees’ scrum was penalised in front of the uprights.

There were signs, however, that the Bees were at last getting a toe-hold into the match, playing a ten man style of rugby which was been their trade mark in the Spencer/Williams coaching interregnum.

The Newport caused wasn’t helped by two yellow cards in quick succession. Influential centre Henry Vaka was sent to the bin for a high tackle on Bees’ full back Alex O’Malley; he was joined shortly after by Luke Kendall, as the open side flanker tried to stem the growing yellow gold tide. Despite their reduced numbers, Newport held on to their 10-3 lead as the half time whistle blew.

With some choice words no doubt ringing in their ears, the Bees started the second half with decidedly more purpose, even though they were now playing against a strong warm spring breeze. The tried and tested driving maul earned captain Chris Goddard his umpteenth try of the season and reduced the deficit to 10-8, with the McGahan conversion askew.

Just as the Bees were looking like they would take the game by the scruff of the neck, an unforced error close to their try line saw Newport No.8 Steve Byrne profit from the resulting scrum. With Holder adding the regulation extras, the Bees support began to feel decidedly on edge.

A darting score from close range by winger Chris Fensome, successfully converted by McGahan, quelled the travelling supporters’ nerves and reduced the deficit to just two points. With Newport skipper Jake Goulson shown yellow by referee Neil Chivers, another try from a driving maul– this time from Matt Spink – could have been the cue for the engravers to get their tools at the ready.

The Shropshire side seemingly still had some gas left in the tank though and when the Bees were penalised for a taking a man out without the ball, Holder slotted the kick to draw the sides level at 20 all. With time nearly up on the clock, a last gasp Mikey Whettell try which would have sealed the victory for the Bees was deemed to be held up. Which was a pity, given what was to follow.

Instead, with the scores level at the end of normal time, referee Chivers blew his whistle thinking – as did both teams - that a period of extra time would ensue. However, following consultation with pitch side officials, it transpired that there was no provision for extra time so the decision was taken to re-start the match to “replay” the final play of the game. With the Newport attack snuffed out, the full time whistle was blown for the second time and the Bees were duly declared cup winners, having scored the greater number of tries.

The chaotic and somewhat controversial end to the game was unfortunate to say the least and no doubt added insult to Newport injury. Yet it shouldn’t cast a shadow over what was - in the end – a winning finale to a difficult season for the Bees. At a club where on field success has been in very short supply in recent years, the North Midlands Cup will make a very welcome addition to the trophy cabinet back at Portway.

Birmingham & Solihull:- 1. Dan Toth , 2. Zane Raimondi, 3. Pete Koziot, 4. Matt Spink (T)), 5. Chris Goddard (T)(c), 6. Ashley Scriven, 7. Darren Forder, 8. Matt Tibbatts, 9. Jack Jolly, 10. Mitch McGahan (P,2C), 11. Jack Fitzgerald, 12. Jimmy Oliver, 13. Mikey Whettell, 14. Chris Fensome (T) and 15. Alex O'Malley. Replacements: Kurtis Payne, Dan Bosworth, Billy Castle, Nyle Beckett and Brian Sibiya.