Bulldogs Can't Catch Up

Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League were hopeful of following up their good win at Telford the previous week, but were ultimately unable to turn possession into points. Brum looked to have the edge in pace but the Coventry defence was generally equal to the task.

The opening fifteen minutes were scoreless, but a home substitution broke the stalemate as Lewis Beaty came on at stand-off and promptly went on a winding run that took him over the Coventry line. Spurred on by this, Bulldogs went on the attack again and prop Mike Florrey, having a storming game, brushed off three defenders to score close to the posts and give Beatty a simple conversion to put Birmingham 10-0 ahead.

Coventry responded in commendable fashion, a succession of attacks yielding tries for second row Dave Whiting and centre Jack Lowe, the second of these goaled by centre Reece Clarke to make the score 10-10 at the break.

HT: Birmingham Bulldogs 10 Pts, Coventry Dragons 10

Dragons carried on where they had left off at the start of the second half, with tries from centre Phil Molloy and hooker Sean Roberts to give the visitors an eight point lead; this was cut to two as the mercurial Beaty whirled over for his second try which he converted himself.

Cov came back, Whiting scoring his second try. Back came Brum. A typical strong run by centre Walker taking him over to touch down and cut the gap to two once more.

Coventry came again: Lowe went over in the left corner for his second try, well goaled from wide out by Clarke to make the score 20-28. With only minutes left, Brum still believed they could pull it round, and full back Sam Shepherd battered his way over for a try that Beatty goaled to leave Brum just two points adrift.

Bulldogs did all they could in the few remaining minutes, but to no avail.

The defeat was a little tough on Brum; a draw would not have been unjust.

Mike Florry took the hosts’ man-of-he-match award, with Lewis Beaty and Simon Homer in contention

Bulldogs next match is a tough looking fixture away to unbeaten Northampton Demons on Saturday [July 19]
Kick off at 2:30.

Summary: Birmingham Bulldogs 26, Coventry Dragons 28

Birmingham: T. L.Beaty 2, M.Florry, A.Walker, S,Shepherd
G. L.Beaty 3

Coventry : T: D.Whiting 2, J.Lowe 2, P,Molloy, S.Roberts
G: R.Clarke 2