Bulldogs Hit Their Straps

Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League FC registered their first league victory of the season with a commanding performance against a game, but outgunned North East Worcs Ravens side. From fullback to loose forward, Brum performed with pace and skill that the visitors could not counter.

Birmingham had an ideal start, as Joe Gregory set things in motion with a try in the right hand corner. Then, after defending well, Brum went further ahead when Ned Stephenson broke clear and just outpaced his chasers for a try that he goaled himself. Soon after Gregory scored his second try which Stephenson goaled.

Good handling ended with Lewis Snowden crossing for a try, Stephenson adding the goal, which he also did from wide out to an excellent try from Nic Evans. Birmingham then went past the thirty-point mark as Mark Bunn finished off a move with a try in the left hand corner. Then past 40, as Snowden went over for his second try which was followed by one from Joe Williams, both scores being converted by Stephenson.

Ravens, sticking admirably to their task, scored the last points of the half with a try from Will Greenwood that was goaled by Dave Wimbury.
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HT: Birmingham Bulldogs 44 Pts NE Worcs Ravens 6

Bulldogs began the second half as they had the first as the impressive Snowden notched his hat-trick try which was followed by a second from Evans, Stephenson goaling both touchdowns to give the hosts a 50-point lead.

Ravens responded with a try from Jamie Thomas, goaled by Wimbury.

Brum then forced Ravens to drop out from their goal-line and the lively Williams found space to cross for his second try, goaled by Stephenson who then posted his own second try, which he also goaled.

Bulldogs then reached 70 points with a notable score as debutant Chev Taylor, playing his first game of rugby league powered over for a try that Stephenson duly goaled.

Stephenson, always a threat with ball in hand, then ran in two further tries, the first of which he goaled, to bring his try ally to four and his overall points total to 38.

To their credit, Ravens never gave up and were rewarded with the last score of the game as Dave Pearson went over from close range, Wimbury goaling.

The result was welcome for Brum, and, with due allowance for the quality of the opposition, it was a good performance. Next Saturday’s [May 23] away fixture at Leamington Royals looks a much tougher proposition. [KO 2:30]

Stephenson and Snowden shared Brum’s man-of-the-match award, with Taylor in contention. .

Summary: Birmingham Bulldogs 82 NE Worcs Ravens 18
Birmingham:
T. J.Gregory 2, N.Stephenson 4, L.Snowden 3, N.Evans 2, M.Bunn, J.Williams 2, C.Taylor
G. N.Stephenson 11
NE Worcs:
T. W.Greenwood, J.Thomas, D.Pearson
G: D.Wimbury 3