Bulldogs Get a Reality Check

Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League FC came back to earth with a bump following the previous week’s high scoring win against Worcs Ravens. Leamington proved to be a much tougher proposition, and, from the first home score, Brum were always playing catch-up.

Bulldogs did well to survive a strenuous opening Royals attack, before launching one of their own which found the home defence equally unyielding.

A blow to the visitors came when Joe Gregory left the field with suspected concussion and had to sit out the rest of the match.

At around quarter time, Brum’s Stephenson was “sin binned”, and the home side took the opportunity to open the scoring, prop Simon Gardner going over by the posts, with stand-off Tommy Hyam goaling.

With half-time approaching, some good handling saw home prop Danny Alexander finish off a move, driving his way over for a try that Hyam converted.

HT: Leamington Royals 12, Birmingham Bulldogs 0

Birmingham began the second half brightly, two penalties taking them to the home line but no points came.

Back came Brum again, a strong run from Stephenson setting up an attack that saw them “held up” in-goal.

Having survived the pressure, Leamington then moved out to an 18-0 lead with a try from Joe Tallamini, with Hyam converting.

Bulldogs stuck to their task, and broke their duck as fullback Ned Stephenson went over from clsoe range, Danny Bancroft converting.

This spurred Brum on, and they cut the gap to six points with the score of the match: taking a pass deep in his own half, left winger Chev Taylor charged down the touchline leaving defenders in his wake before cutting in to the posts for a try that gave Bancroft a simple conversion.

Royals, though, still had petrol in the tank, and two, late unconverted tries from James Urquart and Ben Nuttall saw them home by 26-12.

Kevin Wilson, particularly for his defence was Bulldogs’ man-of the match, with Nick Evans and Mike Florry in contention.

Next Saturday [May 30] Bulldogs are at away at Sherwood Wolf Hunt (Kick off 2:30)