BIRMINGHAM & Solihull Bees stung their Dudley Kingswinford Wasps counterparts 17-12 in last weekend’s friendly.
After Birmingham’s Division One fixture against Aston Old Edwardians 2nds in the Greater Birmingham Merit League was awarded in the Bees’ favour by way of a walkover, a friendly encounter instead took place at Swindon Road.
It proved a worthwhile encounter, as B&S were given one of their toughest tests so far this campaign.
The first-half was very much a one-sided encounter in terms of the scoreline, with the Bees looking the more convincing of the two teams.
Gabe Lupoli thought he had put the visitors in front after five minutes when crashing over the line, only for the referee to rule for a knock-on earlier in the move.
Wasps remained resolute after the early scare, but eventually gave in to repeated Bees pressure to concede a 22nd-minute try to Liam Dunne.
The try gave Birmingham the incentive to drive on and add to their lead, doing so when Cam Watson drove on through a stubborn DK backline to cross the whitewash. James Shackleton added the extras.
While the hosts came back into the tie, the Bees defence was similarly rigid until conceding a converted try midway through the second half.
Eight minutes later, a second Dudley Kingswinford try followed to level and set up a tantalising finish.
Two yellow cards in quick succession for Guy Buttle stacked further pressure on the visitors,
Despite this, an attacking phase for the visitors at the death was finished by Jack Coombes, who found a gap to score the winning try.
The Bees return to league action against Old Saltleians 2nds on Saturday (2.15pm) looking to extend their 100% record at the top of the table.
