Longton too strong for battling Bees

The Bees suffered their second successive league defeat in a row to sides from Staffordshire, losing 22-11 to Longton at their Trentham Fields ground.

Last minute illness meant that some reshuffling was required in the pack – Dan Toth starting at hooker and 18-year old prop Freddie Clark called up to the bench for his first senior side start. A pre-game injury to Jimmy Oliver also saw Nathan Tilsey moved to outside centre and Max Rodman switching to full back, with Chip Tawanda coming onto the bench.

It was the boot of Max Rodman that got his side into a six-point lead after 23 minutes, slotting two penalties in what had been an entertaining opening period, where neither side had been able to stamp their authority on the game.

Longton’s industry was finally rewarded with a try on the 30-minute mark, flanker Sam Longstaff going over at short range following an attacking line out. Full back Grant Hallam added the conversion.

With their line out impeded by the lack of a recognised hooker throwing in, one the of Bees’ major attacking weapons was blunted and despite the slope and possession in the Longton half, the score remained at 7-6 going into the break.

The second half began with the Bees on the back foot, but excellent work by Matt Spink - who had a stand out game - disrupted the Longton drive. Rodman had a chance to put the visitors back in the lead, but his penalty attempt was pushed wide. The cause was then not helped by a yellow card for Nathan Tilsey, adjudged to have made a late/high tackle in mid field.

Hallam duly helped himself to the penalty and three minutes later Longton were 15-6 to the good, with their second try of the afternoon. The chance came from stolen line out ball in the Longton half – the ball was spun out wide to winger Jack Newton-Taylor who applied considerable gas up the right wing. Centre Taz Wara was on hand to take the pass and cross the whitewash.

Wara got his second and his side’s third try of the afternoon 30 minutes into the second half, to effectively seal the victory for the home side – the successful Hallam conversion stretching Longton’s lead to 22-6.

Yet to their credit, the Bees never threw in the towel. Another barnstorming run by Matt Spink and a good off load to Chip Tawanda reduced the deficit to 22-11; then resolute defence to the last minute denied the home side a try bonus point.

Whilst suffering a second loss in consecutive weeks, coaching duo Pete Glackin and Ben Woods will have been somewhat heartened to see a much better shift put in by the Bees, against a big physical side. It was a performance which was in marked contrast to the lacklustre display against Lichfield in the previous week’s game.

Next week sees the visit of Nuneaton to Portway – the north Warwickshire side are currently top of National League 3 Midlands, following their win against Bedford. Kick off is 2.15pm, Saturday 5th November.

Birmingham & Solihull Bees: - (1) Pete Koziot (2) Dan Toth (3) Kurtis Payne (4) Matt Spink (5) Chris Goddard (6) Danny Wright © (7) Michael Stephens (8) Ashley Scriven (9) Jacob Ham (10) Mitch McGahan (11) Dan Barrett (12) Mikey Whettell (13) Nathan Tilsley (14) Chris Fensome (15) Max Rodman (2C) 15). Replacements: - (16) Andrew Weaver (17) Freddie Clark (18) Chip Tawanda (T).
Referee: - Ryan Smith