Match Preview

Match preview – Bees v Peterborough Lions

Bees need to learn lessons if they are to silence the roar of the Lions

The Bees will be looking to out the disappointment of last week’s defeat away against Old Northamptonians when they welcome Peterborough Lions to Portway this Saturday (21st November KO 2.15pm).

Coming into this game the Lions’ form has been patchy – they won last week at home to Sutton Coldfield to end a three match losing streak. Prior to that their form had been better, having won three and lost three.

They Cambridgeshire side have been beaten on their travels to Nuneaton, Syston and Scunthorpe and have also suffered losses at home to Old Halesonians and Sandbach.

Peterborough’s four victories season to date have been against Longton (A), Old Northamptonians (A), Sutton Coldfield (H) and Newport Salop (H) in Round 2. However that victory came at a cost, as the Lions were deducted five points for fielding an ineligible player.

Without that deduction, the Lions would have been mid table with 20 points, but as things stand they are currently in 10th position in National League 3 Midlands, two points and two places above the Bees.

Led by player/coach and ex Northampton Saint Darren Fox, the Lions have suffered from a number of injuries and player retirements of late, which has probably been a factor in their somewhat mixed form. Either way, the Bees know that they will need to put in a better shift over the full 80 minutes than they did last week in Northampton if they are going to get the better of their visitors.

“Making no bones about it, last week’s defeat against Old Northamptonians was very disappointing. “ said Bees’ Head of Rugby, Ian Matthews.

“We started well and got ourselves two tries ahead – in fact we had the opportunities to be 20 points ahead and out of sight. Instead, we let them back into the game, which gave them a platform to carve out a win in the second half. It is important that we learn the lessons from last week, not least to acquire a killer instinct to ‘put the opposition away’ when we have the opportunity.”

“In terms of this week’s selection, the forward pack has just one change from the starting eight last week – Dan Toth comes in at prop after Marcus Tomlinson picked up an elbow injury in the Old Ns game. “

“In the backs, Martin Hooker returns at 9 with Jack Jolly switching back to 10 and Ian Briggs moving to full back. Alex O'Malley makes a welcome return from a series of injuries and will provide some much needed speed and agility on the wing. Mikey Whettell, also back from injury, will rejoin Jimmy Oliver in a centre pairing that provided so much cut and thrust in the victory over Bromsgrove in the cup. “

Birmingham & Solihull team selected v Peterborough Lions Saturday 21st November 2.15pm KO:- Ian Briggs, Alex O’Malley, Mikey Whettell, Jimmy Oliver, Chris Fensome, Jack Jolly, Martin Hooker, Matt Tibbatts, Ashley Scriven, Darren Forder, Matt Spink, Chris Goddard©, Pete Koziot , Ian Matthews and Dan Toth. Replacements – Andy Kettle, Mitch Lee and Scott Harman.

The Bees Development side travel to Newport to take on Newport Salop 2nds.