Bees ease their way into Cup Semi Final

The Bees booked their place in this year’s North Midlands Cup Semi Final competition with a comfortable 70-12 win over near neighbours Camp Hill.

Although the result was never really in doubt from the moment Jevon Hinds crossed the line for the first of the Bees ten tries of the evening, underdogs Camp Hill provided dogged resistance throughout, what was, a thoroughly entertaining local derby game at a floodlit Friday evening at Portway.

The Cup Quarter Final tie drew the biggest crowd of the season to date to Portway and, no doubt mindful of their exit to lower league opposition last season, the Bees fielded a strong side. There was, however, scope to blood a number of youngsters, with Keenan Cooper starting at lock, Sonny Young in the centres, with fellow back Sean O’Sullivan on the bench.

Sadly for Sonny, his evening would be filled with rain as he limped off with a knee injury, with O’Sullivan filling the role admirably from the 15 minute mark onwards. Yet despite the substitution, the Bees had forged a 35- 0 lead by half time , thanks to tries by Jevon Hinds, Tawanda “Chip” Chipadza, Jimmy Oliver, Matt Spink and a 90 metre wonder score from the electric Umraan Jadwat.

Any hopes of a miracle comeback by the visitors were quickly quashed by an early second half try by the debutant O’Sullivan. Four further tries by Jevon Hinds, Chip and a brace for the ever threatening JT Nabetelevu, along with another 100% conversion kick rate from skipper Jack Jolly, took the home side points tally to an unassailable 70.

For Camp Hill, they certainly had a purple patch midway through the second half where they applied considerable pressure to the Bees’ defensive line. They also had the consolation of two second half tries, including the final score of the game, much to the delight of their travelling fans. They left Portway with their heads held high.

To the victor the spoils and for the Bees this manifests itself in a place in the North Midlands Cup Semi Final draw, where they join Newport Salop, Bromsgrove and Bournville.

It is back to league action this coming Saturday (14th October, KO 3pm) as an unbeaten Bees welcome Lichfield to Portway.

Birmingham & Solihull Bees v Camp Hill: - 1. Joe Foreman, 2. Zane Raimondi, 3. Matt Probert, 4. Matt Spink (T), 5. Keenan Cooper, 6. Reece Donaldson, 7. Michael Stephens, 8 Umraan Jadwatt (T), 9. Jack Jolly ©, 10. Harry O’Brien, 11. Tawanda Chipadza (2T), 12. Sonny Young, 13. Jimmy Oliver (T), 14. JT Nabetelevu (2T), 15. Jevon Hinds (2T), 16. Kurtis Payne, 17. Andy Weaver & 18. Sean O’Sullivan(T).

Referee:- Sarah Toll