RUGBY UNION - Birmingham and Solihull complete double with North Midlands Vase success - The Solihull Observer

RUGBY UNION - Birmingham and Solihull complete double with North Midlands Vase success

Solihull Editorial 9th May, 2022   0

BIRMINGHAM and Solihull RFC completed a league and cup double with a 33-18 win against Aston Old Edwardians in the final of the North Midlands Vase.

James Shackleton, Ollie Sanderson, Ryan Sleaford and Pete Gordon all crossed for the Bees whilst Lewis Edwards added 13 points from the kicking tee at Worcester RFC.

Victory secured a league and cup double for the Bees after they stormed to the Midlands 5 West (South) title finishing the campaign with 21 wins from 22 matches on 103 points.

Solihull edged into a three-point lead when Edwards kicked a penalty only for Aston, who play one division above the Bees, to score the game’s first try in the corner shortly after.




Edwards added a further penalty to his tally before Aston slotted a penalty of their own only for the former to strike again and restore Solihull’s lead.

The Bees eventually found a way through when Shackleton’s powerful run resulted in Solihull’s first try with Edwards adding the conversion.


Aston kicked a long-range penalty on the stroke of half time to send Solihull into the break with a slender five-point lead.

And despite being temporarily reduced to 14-men, Aston scored a converted try to edge back in front only to suffer another yellow card shortly after returning to their full complement of players.

Solihull took control of the game and crossed again when Sanderson’s fancy footwork helped him over the line after some sustained pressure in the corner.

However, Aston reduced the deficit to three points with a try underneath the posts before Sleaford added Solihull’s fourth try when he crashed over from 10-metres out.

And the Bees scored their fifth and final try just before full time when Gordon threw a dummy and darted over with Edwards kicking the conversion.

Head Coach Clive Chapman revealed to the players after the game he was stepping down as boss after three seasons in charge.

The club would also like to thank sponsors: Prime Accountants, Oakland Foundation, Traffix, Window Centre, Solihull and Bean 47 Cafe.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Solihull Observer newspaper.