Bees show character to secure impressive win against league leaders

In a performance that oozed character, the Bees brought Derby’s hitherto 100% league record to an end with an impressive 14-20 victory at Haslam Lane.

Three tries and five points from the boot of fly half Max Rodman were sufficient to outgun a Derby side that – prior to this fixture – had topped the National League 3 Midlands table.

With Derby a penalty (slotted by centre George Castledine) and an unconverted try (well finished by full back Jim Wigglesworth) to the good after 10 minutes and Bees’ skipper Danny Wright sin-binned for an ill-advised comment to referee Dave Huson, home supporters probably felt that their team’s unbeaten run wasn’t likely to be threatened.

However this is a Bees side which is increasingly strong both mentality and physically and, having soaked up everything Derby could throw at them without conceding further whilst down to 14 men, the West Midlander’s progressively began to get themselves back into the game.

Despite dropping short on a long-range penalty attempt, the visitors opened their account after 26 minutes with a try courtesy of a textbook rolling maul from a 22m line out. Deployed sparingly so far this season, it was a weapon that was to be used to great effect as the game wore on.

Although missing out on the conversion, the Bees got their noses in front 10 minutes later with centre Isaac McNulty crashing over the line, after an electric break by scrum half Charlie Munford had cut through the Derby defence. Rodman made no mistake with the conversion to give the Bees an 8-12 advantage, with Derby now down to 14 men with Wigglesworth shown yellow as the try was awarded.

With Bees’ hooker Louis Addleton soon to join him in the sin bin for illegally taking a player out in the air, the Bees were probably content to take their four-point advantage into the break.

The second period saw no lull in intensity from either side, although both teams failed to take advantage of speculative penalty attempts before a Wigglesworth three-pointer and a drop goal from fly half Bingham got their side back into a 14-12 lead with 11 minutes remaining.

Yet the Bees showed their character once more – helped in no small part by being able to bring on the experienced heads of Chris Goddard, Mitch McGahan and Kurtis Payne from the bench. Rodman finally got a penalty in his range to get his side back ahead and with Derby’s influential No.8 Adam Glover yellow carded, the Bees sensed an opportunity to put the game out of reach.

Cue the second driving maul try of the afternoon to seal an impressive win for the Bees. With Rodman’s final kick going wide, Derby had the consolation of a losing bonus point – which was just reward for their part in an enthralling game played out by two sides who are likely to be “in the mix” come the end of the season.

Now in fifth place in the table, six points adrift of joint leaders Sheffield and Old Halesonians, the Bees have next weekend off before they entertain Lichfield at Portway on Saturday 22nd October (KO 3pm).

Birmingham & Solihull Bees: - (1) Pete Koziot (2) Louis Addleton (YC) (3) Joe Foreman (4) Matt Spink (5) Andrew Weaver (6) Danny Wright © (YC) (7) Michael Stephens (8) Ashley Scriven (T) (9) Charlie Mumford (10) Max Rodman (P,C) (11) Dan Barrett (12) Isaac McNulty (T) (13) Jimmy Oliver (T) (14) Chris Fensome (15) Nathan Tilsley. Replacements: - (16) Kurtis Payne (17) Chris Goddard (T) (18) Mitch McGahan.

Referee: - John Huson