The Tigers of Sedgley Park proved a wholly different proposition to the Tigers of Sheffield that the Bees dispatched with some style 48-0 the previous week. However with a half time score line of 10-10, the visitors were very much in contention against the Lancashire side.

The Bees started the game in a lively fashion and were 5-0 to the good within five minutes, thanks to a try from prolific lock forward Chris Goddard at the bottom of a rolling maul from an attacking line out.

The home side got into their stride and were 10-5 in the lead by the half an hour mark, thanks to a penalty by Steve Collins, the league’s leading kicker and a converted try by Matt Lamprey. The powerful No.8’s swerving run in from the 22 metre line was a warning sign of the Tiger’s ever present attacking threat and an indication of why they are in fourth position in the table.

However the Bees were to achieve parity at the half way-point with a try by Will Radburn, again from a catch and drive at an attacking line out after the Tigers’ open side flanker Billy Emerson had been rightly yellow carded for killing the ball in the ruck.

Spring always arrives late up the Bury New Road and the chilly conditions were far from ideal for running rugby. Nevertheless, both sides continued to be ambitious in their attacking intent as the second half got underway, but the Tigers seemed to find an extra gear despite now playing up the slope.

Scrum half Callum McShane got the scoreboard ticking for the home side just three minutes after the restart, finishing a lovely back’s move started by Collins with space carved out by centre Matt Riley, who impressed all afternoon. Collins added the extras to make it 17-10.

Bees’ scrum Jack Jolly half narrowed the deficit to 17-13 with a penalty after 10 minutes, but Sedgley Park were now using their possession to probe the Bees’ defensive line. They managed to repel a rolling maul, but with the Tigers opting for width, full back Andy Riley was on hand to complete in the corner on the 16 minute mark. The home side bagged their fourth and bonus point try just 4 minutes later, Billy Emerson fresh from the sin bin finishing off another silky Sedgley Park attack, created by slick handling by Andy Riley and Steve Collins.

The Bees’ refused to lie down and winger Ashley Elvers got on the scoresheet thanks to a sublime offload from centre Rob Connolly. Fly half Petty quickly drop-kicked the conversion to narrow the gap but with just 5 minutes to go it seemed too little too late. Sedgley Park were to have the last word in the final minute od the game, when lock Louis McGowan muscled over to make the final score 34-20.

Whilst Sedgley Park deserved the win after a strong second half showing, the Bees’ would feel unlucky to leave Park Lane without a bonus point for their endeavours. They now have two home games – Harrogate on 19th April and Chester on 26th April (both 2pm kick offs) – wins in both could secure a fifth place finish in the league in what continues to be a very encouraging season for Birmingham & Solihull.

Teams:-

Sedgley Park – Riley (A), Harrison, Riley (M), Parrott, Cookie, Collins (P, 2C), McShane (T), Lamprey (M)(T), Emerson (T), Parfitt, McGowan, Lloyd, Hymes, Matthews , Flynn. Replacements:- Black, West, Simmons, Urmston andWainwright

Birmingham & Solihull – Heath, Fensome, Connolly, Oliver, Elvers, Petty (C), Jolly (P), Leach, Scriven, Stephens, Goddard (T), Onojaife, Koziot, Radburn ©, Boyce. Replacements Bingham, Kettle, Lee and Briggs.

Referee – Marcus Caton