Broadstreet showed signs of their ‘dolus eventualis’ in the early exchanges and it took a full five minutes for the home side to get out of their own half. When they did, it was the Bees who were to get on the scoreboard first thanks to an Adam Canning penalty after 12 minutes.

Indeed the Bees’ fly half gave a flawless kicking performance in the first period, landing four penalties and two conversions to account for 17 of the home side’s points, with a Dai Evan’s try making up the balance. An unconverted try by Evan’s opposite wing Jeff Gregson meant that the men from Portway went into the break 22-5 ahead.

Although Canning’s 100% record was spoiled by an early second half miss, the rangey stand off was in the thick of the action again just minutes later when he charged down a clearance kick - Bee’s No.8 Steve Leach was then on hand to dot the ball down over the line. Another successful conversion further extended the lead to 29-5.

The men from Coventry responded with a try from half back Ben Thatcher after 12 minutes, but a self converted Canning try after an excellent forward drive seemingly had the game wrapped up with 20 minutes to go.

Cue the Broadstreet comeback, which saw the visitors score four tries – each one converted by centre Andy Murray, including the last one in the final minute of the game - to snatch a highly unlikely but nonetheless deserved victory for the NLN2 newcomers.

Replacement No.8 Beau Carney scored the first of the four with a near range effort, with fellow substitute Harry Pendleton notching one for the front row union seven minutes later. The third try scored by full back Will Owen, who had looked dangerous on the counter attack all afternoon, came when the Bees spilled the ball close to the Broadstreet’s own try line.

With the Coventrians’ tails now well and truly up, the final try scored by second row Nick Murphy on the 80th minute mark was just reward for their industry and persistence.

For the Bees, it was a harrowing and concerning afternoon for supporters, players and coaches alike. The requirement to put in a robust performance over a full 80 minutes is still unfulfilled, with the need to record their first win of the season becoming an equally pressing imperative.

Decision making, quality of tackling, overall defensive organisation and the reduction of unforced errors are all areas likely to come under the spotlight at training this week. A dollop of self-belief perhaps could equally added to the prescription too.

The Bees have a further opportunity to reignite their National League 2 North campaign next week when they play a third consecutive home game – this time against Stockport, another newly promoted side - at Portway on Saturday – kick off 2pm.
Teams

Birmingham & Solihull – Chris Fensome, Alex O’Malley, Steve Johns, Rob Connolly, Dai Evans (T), Adam Canning (T, 4P, 2C), Rod Petty, Steve Leach (T), Michael Stephens, Ashley Scriven, Chris Goddard ©, Liam Dunne, Nick Bingham, Will Crane and Peter Koziot. Replacements (all used) Lewis Grinsell, Andy Kettle, Matt Spink, Chris Carlin and Jack Jolly.

Broadstreet – Will Owen, Jeff Gregson(T), Andy Murray (4C), Nathan Tilsley, Ashley Elvers, Ben Cooper, Nick Thatcher (T), Jack Gibbon, Jamie Harrop ©, Chris Zutic, Matt Soloman, Nick Murphy (T), Jake Dodd, Stewart Pearl, Joe Foreman. Replacements – Ben Lawes, Harry Pendleton (T), Aaron Crofts, Beau Carney (T), Adam Walsh.

Referee – Chris Bennett