BIRMINGHAM and Solihull Bees produced a valiant performance in a high-scoring 59-33 defeat against league leaders Aston Old Edwardians.
A patched-up Bees side came away with a try bonus point as Cormach Papirnik ran in a hat-trick of tries while Andy Warrilow and James Sisterton also dotted down at Sunnybank Avenue.
And the result means Solihull sit 10th in the Counties 2 Midlands West (East) table.
The Bees were once again unable to fill the bench due to an ever-increasing injury list and unavailability as league leaders Aston scored the game’s first try after just two minutes.
However, Papirnik marked his return from eight weeks out with a try after good work from Pete Gordon, Liam Dunne and Ryan Sleaford as George Littlechild kicked the conversion.
Solihull twice coughed up possession in midfield which allowed Aston to score two converted tries in the space of seven minutes.
The visitors reduced the deficit on the stroke of half time when Warrilow scored his first Bees try after Papirnik and Jack Allen chased Joe Davies’ initial box kick.
However, Aston ran in three tries at the start of the second half to take the game out of Solihull’s reach before the Bees lost Littlechild to a high tackle.
The away side scored their third try when debutant Tom O’Hanlon cut in from his wing and passed to Sisterton to dot down as Sleaford converted superbly from the touchline.
The Bees defended valiantly to prevent Aston from adding to their lead as the home side eventually crossed twice more.
However, Papirnik scored Solihull’s bonus point try with two minutes left to play as Sleaford kicked another fine conversion.
And Papirnik completed his hat-trick from the restart with a stunning chip over the Aston full back before he gathered his own kick and finished under the posts as Dunne added the extras.
Bees head coach Littlechild said: “Thanks must go to each and every one of the lads who put there hand up at selection this week, it was never going to be easy, but these lads, gave the league leaders quite a fright, we played with passion and desire, played for each other, and that’s all I can ask.
“The positives, we scored five tries away to the league leaders, we secured a try bonus point and the spectators were able to enjoy a moment of brilliance with Cormach’s chip and catch to finish the game with a hat-trick, fantastic to see Cormach back after eight weeks out injured.
“The debutants, Tom and Malachi [Raven] what an effort, and welcome to the Bees, to the travelling spectators who gave the lads so much encouragement it certainly helped on the day, the coaching staff and the players really did appreciate it.”
Birmingham and Solihull Bees are next in action against Stoke Old Boys on Saturday, December 21 with kick-off at 2.15pm at Portway.
