RUGBY UNION: PROMOTION hopes for Solihull Bees remain hanging by a thread following a disappointing nine points loss at Nuneaton on Saturday.
Despite playing 55 minutes of the game with 14 men, Nuneaton secureD the win as Bees failed to exert any control over a powerful Nuneaton side.
Nuneaton fly half Rory Vowles was red carded for a tip tackle on Michael Stephens 25 minutes into the game, leaving Bees with a huge man advantage for the majority of the game.
Bees registered the first points of the game when Jack Jolly slotted home a hard penalty five minutes into the game to give his side a 3-0 advantage.
Nuneaton were soon back on level terms when Vowles converted after Bees conceded a penalty for being offside.
The game had its fair share of heated moments as Scott Makepeace and Chris Goddard were both shown yellow cards by referee Rob Teare after a rolling maul resulted in cross-words between both sides.
A Nuneaton chip through was well fielded by the ever-alert Stephens, who ended up being tip tacked by Vowles and landing on his head.
Though the tackle did not appear to be malicious, referee Teare had little option but to show Vowles a red card
Jolly then doubled Bees’ lead to three with a kick shortly after Vowles was sent off.
Joe Foreman was then yellow carded for a no arms tackle – temporarily bringing both sides at even strength as Nuneaton No. 8 Umraan Dixon-Jadwat proved troublesome in defence.
A quickly recycled ball allowed Rob Cook the opportunity to force his way over Bees’ line for the opening try of the game – Adamson missed the kick meaning Nuneaton led 11-6.
Bees started the second half brightly and were soon within two points of the home side as Jolly converted his third penalty of the game.
Jolly’s strong kicking form continued moments later when Nuneaton were penalised for being offside – Bees now led 12-11.
That lead was short lived though as Nuneaton’s Adamson restored the home side’s lead to 14-12, which was later followed by a second try of the game for Nuneaton – this time Nick Smith forcing his way over the line.
Though Bees tried to move the ball around in the concluding moments of the game, they were unable to advance through Nuneaton’s back row as the game ended 21-12.
