Bulldogs make Leaders work hard for win (Birmingham Bulldogs 20 - 42 Nottingham Outlaws)
Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League FC’ went from meeting the bottom team Leicester the previous week to a match with the only side left in the league with a 100% record in the shape of Nottingham Outlaws. However, any expectations the visitors might have had of a runaway win were thwarted by a tenacious display by the home side. Brum had a useful start as verbal indiscipline cost Notts a penalty and scrum half Chris Gilmartin kicked the goal. But Nottingham quickly got into gear and, after Bulldogs had conceded two penalties, Outlaws second row George Strachan found a gap to cross and centre Ben Thornton goaled. Returning to the attack. Fluent handling ended with a try for scrum half James Lewis, Thornton converting. A penalty from Birmingham that failed to find touch saw Thornton lead a counterattack that led to a try for right centre Tom Howley and a second touchdown for Strachan on the half hour goaled by Thornton took Outlaws twenty points clear. But Brum still had plenty to say and, as rain began to fall, a penalty took them into the Notts 20-metre zone. Topham was held inches short after the fifth tackle, but Nottingham then knocked on and, from the scrum the ball went right where right centre Adam Smith crossed and Gilmartin added the conversion. HT: Birmingham Bulldogs 8 pts Nottingham Outlaws 22 Nottingham started the second half at pace and quick scores from wingers Chris McNamara on the left (goal Thornton) and Martin Edwards on the right, after some good handling took them 4 full scores clear. It looked daunting, but Bulldogs began to force themselves back into the game and produced their score of the match as right wing Wickett stormed up the touchline and passed inside to his centre Pete Fulthorpe who crossed for a fine try which Gilmartin improved. Brum then did themselves a disservice but giving away a penalty for backchat and paid the price as sun right wing Kees Foxon went over in the corner, Thornton goaling well. Outlaws were then penalised and a drive from Parker took Birmingham to the line where hooker James “Topper” Topham dived over from acting half back, Gilmartin’s goal once again cutting the gap to 18 points. Last word to Notts as, after Bulldogs had knocked on close to their own line and the ball was spun right where prop Dan Ljazouli went in at the corner to seal a deserved win, but one for which Bulldogs made them battle over the full 80 minutes. Parker took man of the match honours for the hosts – though Harper was well in contention, and Calland won it for the visitors. Next week Bulldogs visit Gloucestershire Warriors. Bulldogs “A” XIII put up a good performance in going down 52-18 to a strong Nottingham Outlaws “A” side. Home tries were scored by Danny Hendricks, the impressive Dan Simpson, and Andy Alexander. Skipper Chris Woodcock converted all three.