B'ham & Solihull Bees
Matches
Sat 03 Oct 2015  ·  National League 3 Midlands
Longton
15
23
Birmingham & Solihull RFC
B'ham & Solihull Bees

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Keith Scott28 Mar - 12:51
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Matthews looking for more of the same up in the Potteries

The Bees travel up to the Potteries this Saturday (3rd October, 3pm Kick off) looking to further add to their league points tally against Longton.

Last week’s win against Lichfield was a major boost – for players and fans a like – and Bees’ Head of Rugby Ian Matthews is looking for more of the same from his squad.

“I always knew that our players had the requisite qualities in them to deliver match winning performances at this level. It was great to see hard work, intensity and pride in the shirt consistently evident throughout the full 80 minutes last week against Lichfield. The message for this week is a very simple one – more of the same please.”

Matthews – whose namesake is celebrated on the Sir Stanley Matthews’ Way that leads up to Longton’s ground in Stoke on Trent – has named a largely unchanged side for Saturday’s encounter.

Winger Nyle Beckett and prop Kurtis Payne both picked up knocks last week and are replaced by Alex O’Malley and Nick Bingham respectively, whilst Steve Leach comes onto the bench in place of Adam Gwilliam.

“We have trained well again this week and there is a very positive spirit across the whole squad. The guys know what they need to do and are chomping at the bit to put in another performance.”

Longton, like the Bees, come into this game with just one win from their first four league outings. Like their visitors, they also secured their first win of the league campaign last week, beating Sutton Coldfield 14-26 at Walmley Road. They have lost both their home games to date – against Peterborough Lions and Scunthorpe – and were also beaten on their trip further north up the M6 at Sandbach.

Both sides will therefore be keen to add to their current league points tally and move out of the lower echelons of National League 3 Midlands table. For the Bees, they will hope that it will be the Ian Matthews rather than the Sir Stanley Matthews way that prevails.

Birmingham & Solihull team selected v Longton Saturday 3rd October 3pm KO:-

Ian Briggs, John O’Malley, Mikey Whettle, Wayne Child, Jimmy Oliver, Jack Jolly, Marty Hooker, Darren Forder, Ashley Scriven, Rob Gregg, Chris Goddard©, Matt Spink, Nick Bingham, Mike Singleton and Pete Koziot. Replacements – Dan Toth, Steve Leach and Chris Fensome.

The Development side entertain Old Patesians 2nds at Portway (KO 3pm).

National League 3 Midlands Fixtures

Sat 3 Oct 2015KO: 15:00
Hinckley
32
Syston
20
Sat 3 Oct 2015KO: 15:00
Lichfield
22
Bromsgrove
25
Sat 3 Oct 2015KO: 15:00
Nuneaton
19
Scunthorpe
30
Sat 3 Oct 2015KO: 15:00
Old Halesonians
27
Sandbach
17
Sat 3 Oct 2015KO: 15:00
Old Northamptonians
17
Peterborough Lions
18

Match details

Match date

Sat 03 Oct 2015

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

National League 3 Midlands
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Club Partner - The Window Centre
Club Partner - Oakland International
Club Partner & Kit Sponsor - Prime Accountants Group
Kit Sponsor - Traffix
Club Partner - Purity Brewing Company
Associate Sponsor - Cameron Legal
Official Travel Partner - Johnsons Coaches
Club Partner - Midhire
Shirt Sponsor - Monsoon Restaurant & Takeaway
Club Sponsor - Hayfield