BIRMINGHAM and Solihull Bees produced a bonus point 34-24 statement win against former league leaders Berkswell and Balsall.
The Bees signalled their intent for the season as Kody Turner crossed twice while Liam Dunne, Storm Atkins and Ryan Sleaford also touched down at Honiley Road.
The result means Solihull sit fourth in the Counties 2 Midlands West (East) table, just one point behind the three teams ahead of them.
Berkswell and Balsall boasted a perfect record heading into the fixture with the home side the only unbeaten team remaining in the division.
However, the Bees made the perfect start as the visitors secured a loose ball on the halfway line and Will Heath and George Widdop teed up Turner for the game’s opening try in the corner.
And Solihull assistant coach Dunne crashed over soon after as Widdop added the extras to put the visitors into an early 12-point lead.
The home side responded with an unconverted try before Turner doubled his tally for the game and Widdop converted to stretch Solihull’s lead.
And the away side struck again on the stroke of half time as Atkins broke through the defence at pace on the right wing to score in the corner and secure a bonus point for the visitors.
The home side responded with a converted try after the break only for Sleaford to hit back for the Bees virtually straight from the restart.
Berkswell and Balsall crossed again with seven minutes left to play before James Widdop kicked a penalty for Solihull to take the game out of home side’s reach.
Despite conceding a penalty try with the clock in the red and two players in the sin-bin, the Bees secured an impressive victory on the road.
