After a highly competitive Midlands premier season it came down to this, First placed Telford against second placed Birmingham - the only thing separating these two teams after 8 rounds was points difference. Both teams taking a win against each other in the regular season meant it was anyone's game.

The first 10 minutes were fiercely contested, the breaking point coming after cruel bounce of the ball gave the raiders first points for the day. After exchanging sets it was Telford who struck next with a well worked move down their right side seeing them cross the try line again for a 12-0 lead. What followed was a strong arm wrestle with both teams making good inroads into each others halves but unable to land the killer blow. The first half was marred for the Bulldogs with a game ending injury to club captain Pete Logan. Buoyed by this the Bulldogs kept Telford pinned in their own half, and with a well worked set piece move off a scrum, the Bulldogs thought they had their first try of the game. Deliberation between match officials and the final scoring movement was deemed a double movement and the points taken off the board. With half time beckoning, Fergus Stewart went over from close range and the try converted by Freddie Jevons saw the teams enter half time 12-6 in favour of the Raiders

The Bulldogs started the second half strongly, galvanised by their strong finish to the first half and applied consistent pressure on the Telford team who defended well on their line for numerous sets. The deadlock was broken when a cruel ricochet of the ball landed in the hands of Fergus who dotted down for his second try of the day, this time the try going unconverted. The scores 12-10.
The Bulldogs were next to score, with a well worked try out to the right edge to Chev Taylor who was able to run in untouched on the wing. The conversion again missed meant Birmingham took a slender 2 point lead at 12-14.
Unfortunately this was the last time the Bulldogs took the lead. Mounting injuries, a depleted bench, and relentless pressure from the Raiders attack, saw Telford run in 4 unanswered tries to take the lead and the win 34-14.