Sutton get stung by Bees

This game truly lived upto its billing, with two strong squads squaring upto each other for the first time outside of festivals & tournaments.

From the kick off Bees were straight into Sutton running through a weak defence to notch up two very quick tries the second of which being converted.

A shell-shocked away side gathered themselves and finally began to play rugby, driving forward they used close quarter tactics to get their barings.

As the half progressed Sutton secured a foothold in the contest, the pack working well together. A stubborn rush defence from the hosts made life difficult for Suttons three quater line giving no quarter. Finally a break from Cormac Neville and a solid ruck from the pack set the platform less than a foot away from the try line, slick hands from Harry Mitcham opened the door for Sam Grimshaw to benefit from the hard yards gained by the pack.

Shortly after Sam was the recipient of some more fine interplay this time being freed by Alasdair Bell, Harry converted to make the scores even at 12-12.

A fiercly fought first half, between two very good teams, came to an end in stalemate, a very exciting second half was in store for the onlookers.

In the same vane has the first half the second 30 minutes began at a frantic energy sapping pace, both teams searching for any chink of light in the respective defences. Two injuries in a short space of time force changes on the Bees side, the second, a dislocation to the young lads left knee, saw the game delayed for 20 minutes whilst he was treated and carefully dispatched to the medical room.

Sutton who had been the more dominant from midway in the first half pressed the home side, pegging them back into their own half for most of the second period.

With only a minute left on the clock Bees were penalised for a high tackle giving Harry the chance to open up the play with a long pass to Sam who stretched his legs towards the corner, setting the ball down for what seemed to be the winning score.

From the kick off Bees came back at Sutton forcing a turnover on the ten meter line. A missed knock-on and a series of good passes saw the Bees left wing escape the on rushing Sutton defence, Luke Reynolds stretching out a bear-like paw attempting a tap tackle.

In the clear and no-one near him the winger inexplicably touched down 10 meters away from the posts. An action that would come to haunt him, as the conversion was missed.

The final score, a gruelling 17-17 draw.

What a fine exhibition of rugby by both teams - a credit to both clubs and a really promising prospect for the Greater Birmingham Squad for the future.