Bulldogs Have to Work Hard

From the off, Brum had to battle all the way against some strong attacking play, particularly from the Notts forwards.
Indeed it was Outlaws who opened the scoring as loose forward Joe Barton sidestepped over by posts; scrum half Lawry Cook added the goal.
Bulldogs needed to respond - and did so with two tries in little over five minutes from pint-sized right winger Tawanda* Halbvane [*NB bro. Taboka also in side], playing his frist game of rugby league. Centre Danny Bancroft goaled the first of these. Bulldogs now raised their game, stand off Nic Evans being at the heart of matters: tries from second row Chris “Barney” Balmforth and left wing Joe Gregory (goal Bancroft) opened up a 14-point lead for the hosts. But Outlaws responded with a second try from the impressive Barton (goal Cook). Last word of the half to Birmingham as Balmforth ran powerfully from the scrum base for his second try.

HT: Birmingham Bulldogs 24 Pts, Nottingham Outlaws” A” 12

Nottingham got just the start they were looking for after the break as Cook found space to cross for a try he converted himself. Back came Brum, as right-winger James Lewis stepped through the Notts defence. Once again Notts responded, Alex Betts touching down. Nip and tuck, as Justin Kearns, having a fine game, drove over wide out, Bancroft adding a good goal. Still Outlaws would not buckle, and James Gillson fielded a well-flighted cross kick for a try goaled by Cook that cut the gap to 6.

Brum, though, seemed to be lasting the pace just a little better, and in the last fifteen minutes, second tries from Lewis (goal from James Kenny) and Kearns made sure that Bulldogs would take the points.

Matt Beattie’s grafting performance earned him Brum’s man-of-he-match award, with Kearns and Lewis in contention. Barton was MOTM for Notts.

Bulldogs next fixture is away to Derby City on Saturday week [May 24] at 2:30 pm

Summary: Birmingham Bulldogs 44, Nottingham Outlaws 28
Birmingham: T. Tawanda* Halbvane 2, C.Balmforth 2, J.Lewis 2, J.Kearns 2, J.Gregory
G. D.Bancroft 3, J.Kenny
Coventry: T: J.Barton 2, A.Betts, L.Cook, J.Gillson
G: L.Cook 4