Bromsgrove progress to North Midlands Cup final at Bees’ expense

The Bees’ North Midlands Cup hopes were left drowned in the Portway mud, as Bromsgrove booked a place in the final with a deserved 5-15 victory under Thursday evening floodlights.

With a congested fixture list and the league title not yet secured, the Bees opted to field a side made up mostly of Hornets (second team) players, with five youngsters making their first team debuts. Valiant though their efforts were, they proved no match for a well drilled and organised Bromsgrove side who were able to cope better with the difficult playing conditions.

The visitors got themselves 10 nil up after thirteen minutes thanks to a Richard Mahoney penalty and a try from No.8 Tom Hardwick, with the fly half also on the money with the conversion.

The Bees had a number of chances to get themselves back into the game, but a combination of stout Bromsgrove defence and imprecise handling and control meant that two catch and forward drives near the opposition’s try line yielded no return for the home side.

Even with the ‘Grove right wing in the sin bin, the home side couldn’t make their numerical advantage tell. With Tyler Price also unsuccessful with a penalty kick just before the half time whistle, the writing already seemed on the wall for the Bees.

Steady rain was now turning an already sodden pitch into a quagmire and for the Bees to get back into the game, one sensed that they needed to be able to both assert some pressure in the scrum and to score first in the second half. Unfortunately, Pete Glackin’s young charges were unable to deliver on either count and when ‘Grove left wing Josh Holt touched down in the corner, the outcome of the contest was effectively sealed with 25 minutes still left on the clock.

With the visitors reduced to 14 through a red card, skipper Chris Thompson was able to bag a late consolation try, but it was still very much Bromsgrove’s night.

Bees’ supporters will perhaps be more willing to accept a North Midlands Cup exit as collateral damage if promotion is secured against Newport Salop tomorrow (Saturday 31st March, KO 3pm).

Bees v Bromsgrove 1. Harry Smith, 2. Charley Robinson, 3. Kurtis Payne, 4. Andrew Weaver, 5. Harry Barnes, 6. Keenan Cooper, 7. Jacob Lisle, 8. Chris Thompson © (T), 9. Reiss Boon, 10. Tyler Price, 11. Ben Cooper, 12. Steve Johns, 13. Ben Phillips, 14. Jevon Hinds, 15. Sonny Young. Replacements 16. George Radburn, 17. Matti Collier, 18. Sean O’Sullivan, 19. Jack Secher.

Referee - Andy Wigley