Bulldogs Go out in Semi

Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League FC’s winning run was halted by a resolute display from Coventry Dragons who played to their forward strength whilst not lacking pace in the back division. Overall Brum made slightly more mistakes and also conceded too many penalties close to their own line. Nonetheless, a rally at around the hour mark threatened to rescue the semi-final tie for the home side.

Dragons were first to score, winger Carl Liddington outflanking the Birmingham line before cutting inside for a try that scrum half Mark Hyslop goaled. Brum responded with some excellent handling from Shepherd, Edgar and Farnham that ended with right centre Adam Walker touching down in the corner to cut the deficit to two points.

Two penalty concessions by Bulldogs set up a position for Dragons second rower Dave Whiting to drive over close to the posts, stand off Cameron Tune’s goal making it 12-4 to Dragons. Brum responded with a try as good as any in the match, as left centre Dan Ventrella finished some good handling to score out.

The rest of the half was Coventry’s score wise, as the visitors took full advantage of further penalty concessions by the hosts to post tries by prop Sam Ball and full back Kelvin Devoisey to leave Bulldogs 12 points adrift at the break. A bad blow for Bulldogs at this juncture as Ventrella had to leave the field with a badly swollen ankle.

HT: Birmingham Bulldogs 8 pts, Coventry Dragons 20

The opening minutes of the second half saw Dragons pull further away with tries from centre James Horrocks and, following a goal-line dropout, from Hyslop.

At 8–28 down, things looked grim for Birmingham. But they dug deep and proceeded to wrest the initiative: first Edgar went over from acting half back for a try that he goaled himself; then skipper Matt Dudley found enough space on the left to force his way over for a try, excellently converted by Edgar to cut the gap to eight points.

Time was not on Bulldogs’ side, though, and they were forced to try and run from deep as Dragons defended tenaciously. In the end, it proved enough for the visitors to go through.

It was a commendable effort by Bulldogs who can look back on the season with much satisfaction, and hope for better things in the future.

Summary:

Birmingham Bulldogs 20 Coventry Dragons 28
Birmingham: T. A. Walker, D.Ventrella, S.Edgar, M.Dudley
G. S.Edgar 2

Coventry C.Liddington, D.Whiting, S.Ball, K.Devosiey, J.Horrocks, M.Hyslop
G: M.Hyslop, C.Tune

Report by John Simkin