Match report

By The Bee Hive
October 2 2013

Otley travelled home from Portway disappointed that their late rally failed and ended up losing by just three points, their first defeat this season.Nevertheless Otley had started brightly, Birmingham & Solihull rarely getting into Otley’s 22 for the first twenty minutes during which time the reliable Mark Ireland slotted over three penalties, Adam Canning getting one for the home side. The irrepressible Daniel Temm made a 25-metre dart but was just foiled on the line. But two tries within 5 minutes from the Bees around the half-hour mark stung Otley. Matthew Spink dived over after his fellow forwards had been driven from a line out on Otley’s 22 to within touching distance of the line. Back-row Robert Connolly then rolled over the line from close in. Adam Canning converted both tries giving the home side a 17-9 half time lead.

Once again Otley started the second period well and within two minutes, with quick ball giving winger James Wood a rare chance and he made it into the home 22 where, from a scrum, Ireland went in and added the conversion. Steven Costello’s consistency was rewarded when he scored on 64 minutes to regain the lead, and it looked as through Otley was going to snatch it.
But Bees forwards put paid to that idea and with six minutes to go, hooker William Radburn was driven over, Canning’s conversion meant that Otley were going to need another try if they were going to win. Although Otley tried hard in the final minutes, Bees’ defence remained stalwart (as it had for the majority of the game) on their narrow pitch. Consequently Otley could not find a way through and had to be satisfied with just a single point.