Director of Rugby Eugene Martin called for an immediate response from his side after the disappointment of the Caldy game and they certainly responded his call with a scintillating opening 20 minute spell of rugby which yielded four unanswered tries to the home side.

Oscar Heath opened the Bees account after just four minutes, finishing off some excellent handling along the three quarters from a Bees line out, although he was unable to convert his own try.

The Bees’ full back was also involved in the second try just four minutes later - his darting run, chip and chase earning an attacking line out. The rolling maul, which has proved to be a very effective weapon all season, was deployed with Michael Stephens getting across the whitewash. Even with Heath’s kicking gyroscope not yet fully calibrated, the Bees were 10-0 ahead.

The third try came on the 11 minute mark, following a break from the ever influential Rod Petty who fed a lovely pass to Dai Evans. The Caerphilly flyer had enough gas to run in from the half way line. Heath made no mistake with the conversion and the Bees were 17 points the good.

The near total dominance of possession continued and the fourth and bonus point try came courtesy of a quick penalty tap by Rob Connolly. No extras from Heath but the home side led 22-0 and the visitors looked almost shell-shocked. However the Lancastrians’ league position is no fluke and they laid siege to the Bees’ line in an attempt to kick start their afternoon.

They didn’t have long to wait – despite some solid Bees defence, winger Adam Birchall nipped in the corner and the fight back was on, although Lewis Allan missed the conversion. The remaining 15 minutes of the first half was one of ‘Hoppers attack against Bees defence, but the home side were able to soak up everything the visitors threw at them, keeping the score at 22-5.

Preston are a side with a reputation for putting in strong second half performances and ‘Hoppers hit back with three tries in 12 minutes, two from lock forward Alastair Murray and one from winger Phil Bains to give them a 22-24 lead. All of a sudden, anxiety had replaced the almost hedonistic atmosphere of the first half and the Bees hopes were seemingly sinking as fast as the autumnal sun.

Cue another twist to what was becoming an enthralling game. The Bees scrum, with a new look front row with Will Radburn and Matt Long both sidelined, had been impressive all afternoon and the pack were rewarded with a push over try after 17 minutes, with Rob Connolly chalking up his second score of the afternoon. Ian Briggs, on for the injured Heath, slotted the conversion and the Bees were back in the lead at 29-24.

More drama was to follow after a Briggs penalty came off the post, which was collected by the attacking side and seemingly touched down by Matt Spink. Referee Claire Hodnett deemed that the ball was held up and ‘Hoppers were able to clear their line.

It was then the Bees turn to defend as if their lives depended on it, as the visitors sought a winning try. Despite losing prop Peter Koziot to the sin bin, the Bees held on valiantly to secure a memorable victory and 5 league points.

Preston would have headed back north disappointed but ultimately outplayed by a dogged Bees side, that showed both their attacking and defensive qualities, not to mention their “bouncebackability”.

Next week Bees hit the road again, away at Sheffield Tigers.

Teams:-

Birmingham & Solihull – Heath (T,C), Evans (T), Oliver, Leach, Petty, Fensome, Connolly (2T), Stoddard, Stephens (T), Goddard, Spink, Bingham, Boyce, Koziot. Replacements Morley, Randall, Linnett, Harman and Briggs (C).

Preston Grasshoppers – Allen (2C), Birchall (T), Bedlow, Ward, Baines (T), Fitzpatrick, Kindred, Moon, Webster, Lees, Murray (2T), Austin, McGuiness, Mills, Madden. Replacements Holmes, Peterson, Wallback, Napier, Aikman.

Referee – Claire Hodnett