Second half improvement helps Bees cruise to comfortable win - The Solihull Observer

Second half improvement helps Bees cruise to comfortable win

Solihull Editorial 28th Sep, 2017   0

RUGBY UNION: A STRONG second half performance earned Birmingham and Solihull Bees a comfortable 49 point win over Derby.

Bees scored nine tries at Portway and were boosted by the efforts of winger JT Nabetelevu, who was rewarded with a hat-trick.

The victory maintained Bees’ 100 per cent record in the league after four games, cementing their third-place position in the table.

Despite the convincing scoreline, Bees did have to come from behind as Derby took the lead early on through a penalty from fly half George Castledine after the home side were caught offside in open play.




This instigated a quick response from the Bees as number eight Umraan Jadwatt broke off the back of the scrum from the 10m line to score a solo try.

The visitors seemed keen to play out wide, utilising right winger Ryan Manning. The Derby man showed good pace and link up play to streak down the side-line before eventually being tackled into touch after some good defensive play by Bees winger Tawanda Chipdaza.


Bees missed their opportunity to clear from the line out, which led to Derby piling on pressure within their opponents’ 22.

Eventually the pressure told and a three on one overlap allowed flanker Sam Tebbs to score in the corner. Castledine couldn’t add the conversion but Derby were 5-8 in the lead.

But that lead was as good as it got for Derby as Danny Wright scored a converted try to put Bees 12-8 ahead.

Nabetelevu then added to his growing personal scoring tally.

The fourth and bonus point try was secured on the brink of half time, with second row Andy Weaver getting in on the action with his first of the season after a stolen lineout in Derby’s 22.

Having weathered a tricky opening 20 minutes, Birmingham and Solihull were now well in command at the half time whistle, with the score line at 22-8.

The second half proved to be a battle of fitness more so than anything else and it was the Bees who were the ever-dominant side as game panned out.

A further two tries from JT secured his hat trick, with a brace also from influential No.12, Nathan Tilsley.

His centre partner Jimmy Oliver got a slice of the action too, with a breakaway try, as Derby pressed in vain to get on the scoresheet in the second half.

Five out of five conversions in the second period from Jack Jolly rounded off what was a complete performance and a comprehensive 57-8 win for the Bees. Derby would have had much to ponder on the journey home.

Bees travel to Doncaster Phoenix this Saturday for a 3pm kick off.

Picture: Manjit Narotra. 

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