BIRMINGHAM and Solihull Bees achieved their highest league finish since reforming as an amateur side following a 40-19 victory against Harbury in their final game of the season.
The Bees secured a fourth-place finish in Counties 2 Midlands West (East) table after leapfrogging their opponents in the table with a bonus point win at Portway.
Solihull ended the league season in fine form, winning seven of their final eight matches to soar up the league table.
The Bees pinned Harbury in their own half early on and eventually scored the game’s first try as Jack Allen crashed over and Ollie Nesbitt kicked the extras on his return from injury.
And Solihull struck again later in the half when Cole Elleman exchanged passes with Joe Rogers before dotting down as Nesbitt again added the conversion.
The home side extended their lead as Mason Dhani-Ali and Ali Cook linked up to free Liam Dunne to score as Nesbitt stayed perfect from the kicking tee.
However, Harbury responded one minute before half time with a converted try of their own to cut the deficit.
A neck injury to a Harbury player allowed the Bees to score their bonus point try in added time at the end of the first half.
After finally recovering from a broken ankle, Adam Trombley touched down Solihull’s fourth try and Nesbitt converted.
Harbury used the wind to their advantage after the break and crossed for an unconverted try early in the second period.
And the visitors quickly crossed for a converted try soon after to close the gap between the teams to nine points.
However, the Bees introduced fresh legs to great effect as Harry Garratt scored the home side’s fifth try after good work from Cam May with Lewis Edwards unable to convert.
Harbury pushed for a bonus point try only for Ali Cook to sprint away from the visiting defence and score the game’s final try on 79 minutes as Edwards kicked the conversion.
