Bees N2LS campaign up and running with six try win

A brace of tries each from winger Matt Dight and centre Nathan Tilsley helped Birmingham & Solihull record their first win in National League 2 South, coming out on top 42-38 against a very capable Old Redcliffians side at Portway.

Whilst the Bees will be delighted to secure a bonus point win to get their 2018/19 league campaign under way, they will no doubt be disappointed to concede two tries in the closing 5 minutes to give their visitors two bonus points.

It was the Bristol-based side that got on the scoreboard first, despite playing into the wind in the first half. Lock Chris Pursall finished off a well-executed catch and drive from the line out, with fly half Kieran Hill adding the extras to round off a very bright opening 4-minute period for the visitors.

The Bees’ response was as fine as the rain that descended on Portway – three tries in a fourteen-minute spell, all converted by skipper Jack Jolly who finished the game with a 100% kicking record, put the home side firmly in the driver’s seat. Centre Nathan Tilsley and Matt Dight showed the zip and pace in the Bees backline, whilst Matt Spink finished well from close range to prove that there was plenty of dexterity in the forwards too.

ORs narrowed the deficit when winger Henry Bird, who looked dangerous all afternoon, beat the covering defence to score from a chip through. Hill’s conversion brought the score to 21-14. However, their task was to be made much harder, losing two players to injury in quick succession.

Fly half Alex Kilbane was stretchered off with a shattered ankle, with prop Craig McGrath also side-lined with a suspected broken jaw. Although Hill added to his tally with a penalty, the Bees scored two further tries – from full back Harry O’Brien and a second for Dight to take a 35-17 lead into half time, with the try bonus point already secured.

The Bees were unable to drive their advantage home in the second half, as both sides tested each other’s defensive qualities. ORs broke the stalemate after 19 minutes with a try for centre Jermain Jones, Hill’s perfect kicking performance reducing the deficit to 35-24.

Although Harry O’Brien was forced off with an injury, the Bees managed to restore their cushion with a second try for Nathan Tilsley three minutes later.

But with Jolly shown a yellow card with ORs attacking the Bees’ try line, two quick tries – a second for Pursall and one for No.8 Ethan Doyle, both adroitly converted by Hill, gave the visitors some consolation to take back down the M5.

With last week’s losing bonus point, the Bees have now eradicated their 5-point deduction carried forward from last season and sit above both Guernsey and London Irish Wild Geese at the foot of the NL2S table.

Next week (Saturday 15th September, KO 3pm) will see the Bees travelling down to the south west to play Dings Crusaders who, like their visitors, have one win from their opening two fixtures.

Bees v Old Redcliffians: 1. Joe Foreman, 2. Alex Willis 3. Kurtis Payne, 4. Matt Spink (T), 5. Andy Weaver, 6. Danny Wright, 7. Marcus Brown, 8. Umraan Jadwat, 9. Jack Jolly (6C, YC), 10. Max Rodman, 11. Matt Dight (2T), 12. Nathan Tilsley (2T), 13. Dan Kelly, 14. Luke Smith, 15. Harry O’Brien (T).

Replacements: 16. Tim Daly, 17. Stewart Pearl, 18. Ashley Scriven, 19. Adam Nunney, 20 Ollie Walker.

Referee:- Owen Taylor, Assistant Referees:- Andrew Miller & Peter Crouch.