Leicester Phoenix 14 -22 Birmingham Bulldogs
Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League FC, in fifth place in the Midlands Premier table, travelled to second placed Leicester Phoenix looking for a win that would give them an outside chance of qualifying for the playoffs [top three qualify]. Despite losing at Birmingham earlier in the season, Phoenix started as favourites, but a resolutely determined show by Brum gained them a merited “double”, and showed that, this season, anyone can beat anyone on “any given Saturday”
A charge down on an early Birmingham attacking set gave the visitors six more plays and they took full advantage as left centre Drew Harper ran strongly to touch down in the left cornier
Leicester levelled the score when, after a scrum, the ball was worked wide to left-winger Jason Connell who crossed for a try in the left corner.
A great take by Court from a chip ahead by Leicester’s Walmsley started a counterattack which saw left wing Bernard scorch down the touchline before just being hauled down. But Bulldogs increased their lead , Parker, Tull and Kyle combining to set second row Chris ”Barney” Balmforth on a run to the line for a try which left wing Danny Bancroft converted. Tull then came off with an injury, which was a blow.
In the last ten minutes of the half, both sides did all but score as they went to the line, the attacks ending with handling errors each time.
HT: Leicester Phoenix 4 – 10 Birmingham Bulldogs
Bulldogs forced a goal line drop out at the start of the second half, but could not capitalise on it. But they extended their lead following a too-early clearance kick by the home side: Court regathered, and began an attack which ended with the impressive Harper breaking the home line and cutting into the posts for his second try which Bancroft goaled to give Birmingham a full, two-score lead.
Leicester battled back determinedly: they forced a goal-line drop-out on from Brum, then, gaining a slightly fortuitous second attacking set, cut the gap as Connell went over for his second try on the left flank, the score being well converted from side out by stand off Nathan Walmsley. Brum responded, prop Homer held inches short. Brum then did themselves no favours at all, conceding two successive penalties. Attacking from the second of these, Phoenix cut the gap to two points, as a strong, diagonal run from second row and skipper Greg Hurst took him over.
Another home score might well have been curtains for Birmingham; but, as both sides tired in the heat, Bulldogs launched their last, productive attack and the mercurial Harper broke through on the left for his hat-trick try which was well goaled by stand-off Adam Kyle.
As time ran out, Leicester did all they could to save then game, even though two scores were needed. Frustration led them to incur the referee’s displeasure, and a penalty to Birmingham gave the visitors the last play of the match, which they gratefully accepted.
Harper was Birmingham’s man of the match, with Kyle and Balmforth in strong contention; Connell took the honours for Leicester.
Bulldogs deserved to win, just. All things considered, it was probably Brum’s bet result of the campaign so far. Now all they have to do is go to Coventry in a fortnight and beat a side for the first time ever in ten years of trying. Doing it the hard way, they call it.
