RUGBY UNION: A LATE Newport try proved not enough as Birmingham and Solihull Bees edged a 45-point thriller at away from home on Saturday.
The win ensured Bees maintained their spot at the top of the Midlands Premier League, despite facing a tough Newport side.
A top three side themselves, Newport had lost just one game and that had come the week previously against Sandbach.
Birmingham and Solihull soon found themselves 3-0 down after a well taken penalty from the 10m mark.
Pete Glackin’s men were quick to respond though as Umraan Jadwaat crashed over the line to give the league leaders a two-pont lead.
Some unforced errors by both teams meant that the pace of the game was slowed down and neither team was able to find their shape and rhythm.
Despite this, Bees stretched their lead further.
After a probing run by Jadwaat, centre Tilsley was on hand to receive the offload to earn his side their second try of the match. Jolly converted the try from a near impossible position on the touchline, making the score 3-12.
A strong period of Newport possession only resulted in the home side earning three points as an offside in the back line resulted in a simple kick in front of the posts making the score 6-12.
Newport added to their tally on the last play of the half with another penalty, meaning that the Shropshire team went into the changing rooms just three points adrift of the Bees.
It was the Bees’ turn to convert a penalty of their own, Jolly stepping up give his side a six-point lead.
The away supporters were put further at ease with a spectacular try from Chip, following an assist from centre Steve Johns.
Although the conversion was short, the Bees now led 20-9.
Newport still weren’t willing to give up though as two penalties narrowed the lead to five points with the closing stages of the game looming.
Bees won themselves a penalty and captain Jolly opted to go for goal. He showed great composure to slot home the 40m kick to give a two score advantage at 15-23.
With just a few minutes left on the clock, the only way Newport could salvage something from the game was a try.
Despite great resolve and valiant efforts to keep Newport out, the Bees conceded with the last play of the game leaving the score at 22-23 at the final whistle.
Bees are next in action at Nuneaton on Saturday, November 11. Kick off is at 2.15pm.
Birmingham & Solihull Bees:- 1. Joe Foreman, 2 Zane Raimondi, 3. Matt Probert, 4. Andy Weaver, 5. Matt Spink, 6. Danny Wright, 7. Michael Stephens, 8 Umraan Jadwatt (T), 9. Jack Jolly (C,2P) ©, 10. Max Rodman, 11. Tawanda Chipadza (T), 12. Nathan Tilsley (T), 13. Steve Johns, 14. JT Nabetelevu, 15. Harry O’Brien, 16. Kurtis Payne, 17. Ashley Scriven & 18. Jack Secher.
Picture: Manjit Narotra.
