Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League FC second team’s efforts in the Merit League earned them
the right to a place in the RLC Merit League Shield Semi Final. Despite not having quite the hoped-for strength in depth, and also losing two members of the pack to injury early on, Brum gave it their all and went close to talking the match to extra time at the very least.
Bulldogs defended well in the opening minutes but then suffered their first blow as second row Willetts came off with a badly twisted ankle; later on Hughes also had to withdraw
A good break by Metcalf looked promising but the move ended on a forward pass. Fifteen minutes in and, after Birmingham had been penalised for “stealing”, Sheffield went on the attack hooker Tom Lee going over in the left corner. For the next ten minutes the hosts were generally in command and extended their lead with a try from second row John Hitchin, stand off Dan Gray converting.
Bulldogs battled back and a good attacking move ended with stand off Danny Bancroft chipping the ball high over the home line where left wing Alex Kasote caught it “on the full” to dive down for a try; Bancroft added a good goal from wide out.
The visitors needed to keep their line intact until the break, but another penalty put Forgers on the attack and right wing Nick Ward went over in the corner.
HT: Sheffield Forgers II 14pts Birmingham Bulldogs II 6
Brum began the second half in determined fashion, and excellent driving forward play from Brown and hooker James “Topper” Topham saw the latter go over from acting half back, Bancroft goaling to cut the gap to 2 points.
Some controversy over the next score: close to the Bulldogs line, Sheffield appeared quite clearly to have knocked on, but play was allowed to continue, and second row Joe Wear touched down for a try.
Birmingham responded with a great kick and chase by Kasote but a defender just managed to hoof the ball dead. But an attempt to repeat the tactic backfired as home full back Joe Howe took the kick and ran back through a disorganised Bulldogs’ defence for a try which Gray goaled to make it 24-12 for the hosts.
In typical fashion, Brum clawed their way back into contention. Straight from the restart, right centre Tom “Bambi” Metcalf gathered the kick and stepped through the home defence for a fine solo try which Bancroft goaled to halve the deficit. Then, after a great break by Court had seen him just hauled down, and in a move as good as any in the match, good handling from right to left ended with left centre Lee Ross crossing in the corner, Bancroft goaling superbly from the touchline.
24-24: victory or, at least, extra time beckoned. But Birmingham had given their all and late tries from loose forward Vince Caldwell and centre James Kerman took Forgers through to the final. The score at the end hardly did justice to Bulldog’s efforts
This was Bulldogs last senior competitive fixture for 2008. The club will look to recruit and strengthen the squad for 2009.
