Bees get the better of Newport to extend winning run

For the first time in four years, the Bees achieved a third successive win, finally overcoming determined opposition from a resilient Newport Salop side.

Eventually winning out 5-18, all the points came in the second half as both sides tried to manage the breeze and slope at a chilly Forton Road Ground.

Bees’ fly half Mitch McGahan personal tally of 13 points included a drop goal, a penalty, a try and a conversion but it was the industry of his forwards which was to be the telling factor in the encounter.

Playing up the slope and against a stiff breeze in the first half, the Bees understandably opted to keep things tight. Both McGahan and the Newport full back Liam Holder both missed early penalty opportunities, although the wind conditions were – at best – difficult.

Using the rolling maul to great effect, the Bees’ forwards – again led well by skipper Chris Goddard and orchestrated by No.8 Matt Tibbatts – starved Newport of the ball and frustrated their hosts into a string of infringements. Indeed lock forward Parker eventually found himself heading to the sin bin just before the 30 minute mark, as the referee’s patience finally wore through.

However, try as they might and even with a one man advantage the Newport defence remained admirably intact leaving the scoreboard operator untroubled at the half time mark.

Given that the Bees had the elements in their favour going into the second period, it was perhaps surprising that Newport should dominate the next 20 minutes. But dominate they did, keeping control of the ball for long periods of time and keeping play between the halfway line and the Bees 22m line. Their intensity and efforts were rewarded by a well-taken try on the 54th minute mark, as left wing Evans engineered some space to finish well in the corner.

The ensuing conversion attempt was struck with more hope than expectation, but nonetheless the home side had carved out an important 5-0 advantage.

Under the tutelage of new coaching duo Paul Williams and Dave Spencer, the Bees now seem to have more composure when they go behind and this was evident again as the men in golden yellow shirts steadily clawed their way back into the game.

Home fly half Henry Vako earned himself a 10 minute breather for not rolling away at the ruck - his opposite number McGahan got the visitors 5-6 ahead thanks to a drop goal and penalty either side of the yellow card. With the extra man, the relentless battering-ram tactics of the Bees forwards was now beginning to sap the energy of the Newport defence.

With the fixture coming into its final phase and Newport running any possession they had from deep, it was McGahan who delivered the fatal blow with a try, winning the ball in the tackle and driving the ball over the line from close range.

The frustration of the home side bubbled over in the dying seconds of the game, as their scrum half Paterson shown a red card for unwisely getting in a spat with Matt Spink. A penalty that had originally been given to Newport was reversed and, with the quick penalty taken, substitute flanker Mike Stephens beat the despairing defence to further widen the points differential.

With McGahan slotting over a dog-legged conversion, the 5-18 final score line somewhat flattered the visitors and Newport will be no doubt disappointed that their endeavours hadn’t yielded a losing bonus point.

For the Bees, a third win on the trot – extending ‘Willy & Spanner’s’ 100% record in their second coaching stint at the club – continues the encouraging progress towards mid table respectability in National League 3 Midlands.

As well as earning themselves ‘three in a row’ chocolate cake at training, the Bees squad take a well earned break next weekend before they face Nuneaton at Portway in a fortnight’s time (Saturday 13th February, KO 2.15pm).

Team

Birmingham & Solihull:- Alex O’Malley, Arron Wilson, Mikey Whettell, Brian Sibiya, Nyle Beckett, Mitchell McGahan (T,DG,P,C),Martin Hooker, Matt Tibbatts, Ashley Scriven, Darren Forder, Matt Spink, Chris Goddard ©, Pete Koziot, Zane Raimondi, Dan Toth. Replacements – Chris Fensome, Josh Evans and Micahel Stephens (T).