Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League FC travelled to Bromsgrove to face North East Worcestershire Ravens knowing that they needed a win – and probably by a big margin – to secure second place in the league table and thus gain a home tie in the playoff semi-finals. This they duly did, running in 17 tries, 15 of which were goaled.
An early Bulldogs attack ended with a knock-on over the line, but little went wrong for Brum thereafter.
Prop Laurence Edwards opened the scoring, striding over for a try that Sam Edgar goaled. Straight from the restart, centre Adam Walker ran some 80 metres to score (though he may have been in touch en route), Edgar again adding the extras. Speedy centre Dan Ventrella then notched a brace of tries, both well goaled by Edgar.
A penalty put Ravens on the attack, and scrum half Ben Coleman went over from acting half back to put the hosts on the scoreboard. But the home made a hash of fielding the restart, and Brum winger Joe Williams dived on the loose ball for a try in the corner.
A hat trick try for Ventrella, plus two more for Williams for his hat trick, all adroitly goaled by Edgar completed an impressive half for the visitors.

HT: North East Worcestershire Ravens 4 pts, Birmingham Bulldogs 46

No let-up as the second half began: Ravens misfielded the kick-off, and Walker was on hand to claim his second try. A penalty for a high tackle led to Birmingham skipper Dudley touching down.
A slick assist from Matt Beattie, having an excellent match, put Andrew “Beefy” Burton over for the first of a brace of tries. Second row Beattie then broke through for a deserved score; four more goals from Edgar gave Bulldogs a 70-point lead.
Brum pressed on: Burton posted his hat-trick try and Ventrella crossed twice more to bring his try tally to five. Three more goals by Edgar took the visitors past the 90-point mark.
Once again, a penalty set up Ravens in an attacking position, and good handling saw second rower Jack Sealey find space on the right flank for a good score.
Last word to Birmingham, as winger Joe Gregory crossed wide out.

Beattie was Bulldogs’ man-of the match, with Curtis Harris and Joe Williams in contention. Sealey was MOTM for Ravens

Next Saturday (August 10) Bulldogs are at home to Coventry Dragons in the play-off semi finals. Victories were one apiece in the league programme: a tight encounter is in prospect (Kick off 2:30)

Tries: D Ventrella (5), L Edwards, A Walker (2), J Williams (3), A Burton (3), M Dudley, M Beattie, J Gregory
Goals: S Edgar (15)