Bulldogs rediscover the winning habit (Birmingham Bulldogs 72 - Leicester Phoenix 0)
Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League FC ended a run of 5 defeats with a comprehensive win over a game but extremely under strength Leicester outfit. Nevertheless, when all allowances for the quality of the opposition have been made, there was enough in Brum�s display to give them encouragement for the run in to the end of the season.
An early break by Russ Parker [J.Parker also in side] looked promising but the attack failed with a knock-on. But with a quarter of an hour gone, Bulldogs opened their account when a break by Woodward, together with Midgley a dominant force up front, saw him offload to hooker Dom Birchall who ran to the posts to touch down; full back Garth Harcombe converted.
Another drive from Woodward, followed by a chip ahead from Kyle saw skipper and left wing Mike �Puppy� Jones [L.Jones also in side] gather and run to the line, Harcombe goaling. Then stand off Adam Kyle turned try scorer, after the Bulldogs pack had taken a scrum against the head, selling a dummy and crossing to the right of the posts (goal Harcombe). Kyle then returned to the provider role, his (forward looking!) back flip pass to Jim Llewellyn enabling the right wing to break clear and go some 60+ metres to the line, Harcombe goaling.
Two more for the backs before the break as right centre Pete Fullthorpe took a slip pass from Luke Jones and ran well to make the line; then, after Leicester had put the restart into touch, Mike Jones found space wide out to cross in the corner. Both scores were well converted by Harcombe.
HT: Birmingham Bulldogs 36 pts Leicester Phoenix 0
Birmingham retuned to business early in the second half as Fullthorpe took an assist from Kyle to just outpace his pursuers and cross for his second try. Mike Jones then took an assist from Russell Parker [J.Parker also in side] to claim his hat-trick try (goal Harcombe) and another strong run from Llewellyn brought him his second touchdown and took Brum to 50 points.
Phoenix tried all they could to break through, but Bulldogs defence was in unforgiving mood.
The final quarter saw Birmingham drive home their superiority as strong running centre Jon Parker picked up a brace of tries as did Mike Jones who thus finished with a 5-try haul; Harcombe goaled three of the tries.
So, a satisfying afternoon for Brum, but nothing to get over-euphoric about. Leicester deserve tremendous credit for travelling when so short of strength, and both sides approached the game in a splendidly sporting manner.
Prop Ross Midgley was Bulldogs� Man of the Match, though Woodward was also well in contention. For Leicester, scrum half David Wilkins took the honours and his half back partner Mark Sloan worked tirelessly alongside him.
Birmingham must now set their sets on the more testing prospect of a trip to Telford Raiders next Saturday [14th]
Summary:
Birmingham Bulldogs 76 (Tries: Birchall, M.Jones 5, Kyle, Llewellyn 2, Fullthorpe 2, J.Parker 2; Goals: Harcombe 10
Leicester Phoenix 0