Bees show mettle to defeat league leaders Sheffield

A late Danny Wright intercept try sealed a deserved four try bonus point victory for the Bees, breaking Sheffield’s eight game winning streak, writes Steve Johns.

The Bees themselves - unbeaten in their previous four league matches - extended their winning run with effective and efficient rugby.
To the credit of both sides there were very few handling errors throughout despite the consistent drizzle at Portway. Sheffield’s early attack into the Bees half resulted in the first score of the game by Steve Depledge, who darted over from close range then converted his own try.
Both sides attempted to dominate territory by kicking long from hand. Bees’ full back Chris Fensome looked assured all afternoon and it was his decision to counter attack a Sheffield kick that led to Bees’ equalising try by Ashley Scriven, who glided over in the left hand corner. Jack Jolly converted from wide out, bringing the scores to 7-7.
From the kick off Bees showed intent to build a score, working their way upfield via notable carries from props Pete Koziot and Kurtis Payne. A Jack Jolly penalty meant the Bees went in to the half time break leading 10-7, much to the cheers of the home support.
Soon after half time, Bees extended their lead. Waves of possession led to open side flanker Michael Stephens storming under the posts for a try. Jack Jolly added the simple conversion making the score 17-7.
Sheffield were immediately jolted into showing the type of form which had hitherto earned them top spot in the league table. The travelling support were encouraged when a visit to the Bees’ 22 resulted in fly half Andy Hodgson ghosting over from 15 metres out. The conversion from scrum half Steve Depledge was successful, bringing the score to 17-14 in Bees favour.
Further into the second half, with the Sheffield defence penalised for off-side ten metres from their own try line, the Bees elected to take the scrum. This turned out to be an inspired decision from captain Chris Goddard, as a controlled eight-man shove allowed No.8 Danny Wright to go over close to the posts, with referee Tim Allatt awarding the score. Jack Jolly again added the conversion, extending the Bees lead to 24-14.
With the final whistle looming, Sheffield reacted with a surge of possession, in search of getting themselves within reach of a losing bonus point. An attack on the left hand side almost put winger Alastair Womack down the left touchline, but the pass went high and into touch.
Sheffield’s endeavour to continue to play from deep and keep the ball alive was to prove fatal, however. A high and looping pass was plucked from the air by Danny Wright who ran in unopposed to claim Bees’ fourth bonus point try as Portway erupted. Jack Jolly capped an immaculate kicking display with a conversion from wide on the right, taking Bees safely ahead 31-14 with only seconds remaining.
This latest win means that the Bees have recently beaten the league’s top two and takes them into third place in the league at the half season point, 9 points behind current leaders Nuneaton and 8 points adrift of Sheffield. Pete Glackin and Ben Woods’ men will no doubt go into next week’s away fixture against Bedford Athletic keen to get six from six league wins in the bag before the Christmas break.
Birmingham & Solihull Bees:- (1) Pete Koziot (2) Zane Raimondi (3) Kurtis Payne (4) Andrew Weaver (5) Chris Goddard © (6) Ashley Scriven (1T) (7) Michael Stephens (1T) (8) Danny Wright (2T) (9) Charlie Mumford (10) Jack Jolly (1P, 4C) (11) Tawanda Chipadza (12) Ben Phillips (13) Nathan Tilsley (14) Jevon Hinds (15) Chris Fensome (1T). Repacements; (16) Dan Bosworth (17) Matt Spink (18) Max Rodman.

Referee: Tim Allatt