Bulldogs click – and Leicester feel the blast (Birmingham Bulldogs 80 - 0 Leicester Phoenix)
Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League FC’ came into their match with Leicester Phoenix with a “played 4 lost 4 record”. The visitors were pointless from their opening games as well, so something was going to give. And give it most certainly did as, inspired by players both old and new, Bulldogs turned on a near-unstoppable display for an overwhelming victory. Brum opened their account after 3 minutes: Leicester spilled an up and under, and the ball was worked left to right where debutant winger Ryan Wickett took Parker’s assist to cross wide out, hooker Chris Gilmartin converting well. Bulldogs were then penalised, but defended, countered and impressive second row Drew Harper broke two tackles to cross (goal Gilmartin). Phoenix then kicked off into touch and from the restart, prop Mike Tate crossed almost unopposed through a static defence, Gilmartin goaling. Then a knock on by Leicester led to an attack which ended with Dean Platt crossing (goal Gilmartin) Birmingham stepped up the pace: Left centre Adam Smith crossed twice after excellent handling both times and a great break by Barnforth led to a second try for the ebullient Wickett; skipper and stand off Mike Jones [A Jones, L Jones – no rel – also in side] went on a solo run to the line to touch down. All the tries were goaled by Gilmartin. Just before the break, Fullthorpe was cruelly unlucky to lose possession with the line at his mercy.HT: Birmingham Bulldogs 48 pts Leicester Phoenix 0Leicester dug in at the start of the second half, and kept Brum at bay for a dozen or so minutes; but then a break by M.Jones was carried on by Platt whose assist put Harper over for a deserved score. The visitors then “coughed up” possession, and debutant Chris “Barney” Barnforth broke through and went 80 metres to the posts, Gilmartin goaling. Bulldogs were now back in gear and Gilmartin exploited a gap to join the try scorers, adding the goal himself. The long striding Smith found more gaps in a tiring Phoenix defence to add two more tries to his tally bringing it to 4, Gilmartin converting the first of these. Leicester gained possession from the restart, but then mishandled close to Bulldogs’ line and M. Jones picked up the loose ball to hare some 70 metres down the left flank, cutting in to touch down and give Gilmartin a straightforward kick to round off the scoring. In a great all round team show, Wickett just edged out M.Jones for home man of the match. For Leicester, loose forward David Wilkins took the honours and his whole side deserved praise for a courageous and sporting display. A much stiffer test awaits Bulldogs next week when Nottingham Outlaws, a side with 100% record before today, visit Moor Lane (ko: 2:30)