Birmingham Bulldogs II 28 North Derbyshire Chargers 16
As the have done at least twice before this season, Birmingham Bulldogs second XIII came back from an early deficit to record a victory that on this, their final match of the season, saw them overcame a gallant and stylish North Derbyshire Chargers outfit to capture the Kukri Midlands League Championship and land the club’s first trophy since 1996. All contributed, but it was the relentless work of the pack that laid the foundations for the win.
Both sides made errors in a nervous opening ten or so minutes, but Chargers began to show increasing fluency on attack and struck first 11 minutes in: a break by second row Storey was taken on by left centre Tom Arnold who ran strongly to cross for a try which was well converted by stand off Leigh Saunders.
Worse was to follow, and quickly. From the restart Chargers’ lively hooker Sean Helders broke through in his own half and outran the Brum defence to cross between the posts to give Saunders a simple goal kick.
Birmingham were reeling, but they drew breath and began to force their way back into contention with the forwards leading the way. An attack down the right ended with a pass going into touch, a strong break by Dale saw him well chased down and tackled, then Brown appeared to have scored but was penalised for a double movement.
With only five minutes of the half left, Birmingham got the break they needed, as a drive from Brown was followed up by prop Gary Jones who found a space close to the posts and crashed over. Scrum half Chris Gilmartin goaled.
The try spurred Bulldogs on, and right on the break they levelled the score as right centre Tom “Bambi” Metcalf took a short pass from Gilmartin and raced up the right touchline before cutting in to touch down – just! – behind the posts. Gilmartin’s goal made it 12-12 at the interval.
HT: Birmingham Bulldogs II 12 Pts, N. Derbyshire Chargers 12
Chargers went on the attack at the start of the second half but, under pressure on their own line, Brum gained a relieving penalty
Ten minutes in, and Birmingham took a lead they were never to lose as good handling down the left ended with hooker Martin Hooker [sic] dummying and going over for a try which Gilmartin goaled to make it 18-12.
Ever dangerous, Chargers counterattacked, a fine break by Barrett being halted by a try-saving tackle by Brum’s full back Norton.
A penalty kick – offence unclear! – to Bulldogs saw yet another pounding drive from Brown; he offloaded to impressive loose forward Martin Dearne who broke the home line and went to the posts, Gilmartin adding the two to make it 24-12.
Birmingham now scented victory, and some excellent work from Bowden and Dearne saw the ball spun out to the left where winger Adam Dale scooted down the narrowest of channels for a try in the corner.
Chargers, to their great credit, would not throw in the towel, and a splendid solo run down the left from fullback Dave Simms took him over I t eh corner for a deserved score, Simms appeared to have been fouled after he had scored, but the offence was not picked up by the officials. As it was, following an unsuccessful conversion attempt, the final whistle went and the trophy was Brum’s.
It was a splendidly competitive match, and the final margin was a touch harsh on North Derbyshire, who generally displayed greater fluency on attack. But once they had got into their stride, the Bulldogs’ pack were
a dominant force. A victory for substance over style, as it might be said. Birmingham can live with that.
The man of the match award went to Brum’s Martin Hooker, though both Dearne and, especially, Brown must have been well in contention. Chargers Arnold, Storey and Simms all put in notable performances in a good team show.
