Birmingham Bulldogs 26 -37 Coventry Bears
Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League FC came within 20 minutes of recording their first ever win over Coventry Bears at first team level until a late resurgence by the visitors saw them post 18 unanswered points and once more retain Warwickshire “bragging rights”.
In a cautious opening, a drop goal by Coventry full-back Richard Whitehouse was answered by a penalty from his Brum opposite number Dan Bancroft. An intense period of defence by both sides followed for the next twenty minutes before Bears struck twice. First left centre Ben Sheppard found space to cross on the right with Luke Horan adding the goal. Then, left-winger James Horrocks ran strongly down his flank before cutting in and going over close to the posts. Horan added the goal.
It looked a bit ominous for Bulldogs but they turned the score round in the space of six minutes. First big prop Simon Homer took Tull’s pass and charged over the line cutting in to touch down for a try which Bancroft converted. Two minutes later a great run by Metcalf set up an attack that ended with scrum-half Rich Rainger scoring a try close to the posts again giving Bancroft a simple conversion and putting Birmingham one point ahead at the break
.
H.T. Birmingham Bulldogs 14 -13 Coventry Bears
The first ten minutes of the second half saw Brum establish what looked like a commanding position. An attack took them to the left corner where a series of off-loads ended with left centre Rich Morris going over for a try. This was followed soon after by a score for stand-off Clinton Tull who took a short pass to go behind the posts, Bancroft goaling to make it 24-13 to Brum.
From almost out of nowhere an 80 metre solo run from left wing Tanaka Cahaumokara which took him all the way over the home line for a try that Horan goaled put Coventry back into contention.
Brum then had Bancroft sin binned but eased out to a seven-point lead with a penalty by Tull.
Bears’ response was immediate and effective they regathered from the kick off and mounted an attack which ended with a try for loose forward Matt Cooper which cut the gap to three points.
Cov now sensed that the match was theirs to win and a try by Tom O’Toole following a penalty award put them in front for the first time since the first half hour.
After eight scoreless minutes Brum where penalised and from the resulting attack O’Toole went over in the right corner for his second try.
There was only one score in it but Brum conceded a penalty for an offence at the scrum: with little time left, Bears went for it and some deft handing from the right flank saw Sheppard go over for a second try, Horan’s conversion coming just before the final whistle.
It was a bit disappointing for Bulldogs to see the match slip from their grasp, but due credit to Bears for a storming finish. Rich Rainger took Man-of-the Match honours for Brum, Tom O’Toole for Cov.
