Match Preview

Match preview – Sutton Coldfield v Bees

Bees stay local in search of some Christmas cheer

The Bees mark the halfway point of their National League 3 Midlands campaign with a visit to local rivals and fellow strugglers Sutton Coldfield tomorrow (Saturday 12th December, KO 2.15pm) at Walmley Road.

They will be hoping for some valuable league points to raise the festive spirits, having come out second best to a strong Scunthorpe side last week. The North Lincolnshire side managed the near gale-force conditions much better at Portway than their hosts to secure a bag a 8-29 win, denying the Bees any bonus points in the process.

It is bonus points that separate bottom of the table Sutton Coldfield from their neighbours south of Spaghetti Junction who are third from bottom, as both sides have secured just three wins from their 12 outings to date. The Bees have notched up seven bonus points to Sutton’s three

Sutton Coldfield’s two home wins have been recoded against Old Northamptonians and Sandbach, adding to their sole away scalp at Newport Salop. Ian Matthews’ men will be keen not to add Birmingham & Solihull’s name to this select list.

“The squad have completed two positive sessions this week and travel in optimistic mood for this important clash with Sutton Coldfield” said the Bees Head of Rugby.

Matthews has also been busy again in the transfer market this week, with some of the players giving him the nickname ‘Big Sam’. This week the Bees have added Zane Raimondi to their ranks, who will start against Sutton Coldfield at hooker. Raimondi is South African by birth but with an Italian passport and has played high grade Rugby in Cape Town.

Other changes to the pack this week see the return from injury of Matt Spink in the back row in place of the Matt Tibbatts (who is unavailable) and prop Pete Koziot.

In the only change in the back division, Chris Fensome comes on to the right wing for the injured Alex O’Malley, who scored the Bees only try last weekend. Billy Castle, who made his first team debut against Scunthorpe, retains his place on the bench and is joined by exciting new prospect Brian Sibiya and another new face, Lewis Lawlor, a versatile forward.

“Sutton will be highly motivated and hunting a home win to help lift them from the bottom of the table. The squad and performance team will be doing everything possible to prevent this from happening and getting 4, possibly 5 valuable points in the process” said Ian Matthews.

“Ultimately, crunch games such as this match are decided simply by the team that want it the most; the team with the highest level of desire and work rate will get the reward. If the team trust each other, believe in their collective abilities and work hard for 80 minutes I am confident the lads will get the job done and get the right reward.”

Birmingham & Solihull team selected v Sutton Coldfield Saturday 12th December 2.15pm KO:- Sam Davenport, Chris Fensome, Jimmy Oliver, Aaron Wilson, Nyle Beckett, Mitchell McGahan, Martin Hooker, Ashley Scriven, Darren Forder, Matt Spink, Liam Dunne, Chris Goddard ©, Pete Koziot, Zane Raimondi, Dan Toth. Replacements – Lewis Lawlor, Billy Castle and Brian Sibiya.