2 weeks Ago
Looking to build on some good displays of late, Tigers’ coaching staff were still wary of a big physical side with a powerful pack of forwards who had narrowly beaten them 28-26 in October. Sedgley kicked off playing down the slope at Park Lane, looking to build phases in their half. But they gave away four penalties in the first five minutes which denied them possession and territory.
Birmingham took advantage of this and a scrum five metres out from the hosts’ line saw the ball moved quickly left and crashed over for a converted try giving them the lead after eight minutes. Despite this setback, the Tigers responded well and a powerful catch-and-drive by the forwards deep in the visitors 22 was rewarded with a penalty try to level the scores after 13 minutes. The game was a scrappy affair with play being held up for a number of injuries which denied any continuity and momentum.
A yellow card for home hooker Ben Gregory after 18 minutes put them down to 14 men and Birmingham were awarded a penalty which put them back in the lead. Sedgley managed the sin bin period well and looked to put pressure on the visiting defences at every opportunity. But they got another penalty on 28 minutes which further extended their lead to 13-7.
A home penalty just before the break, that fly-half Warren Seals converted, reduced the arrears before half time. It had been a disappointing half of rugby for the Tigers with too many handling errors, and a lack of physicality in their collisions. The highlight of the half for the hosts had been a wonderful try-saving tackle by debutant full-back Sam Thorpe in the top right-hand corner who covered 30 metres to deny Birmingham the score.
The second half started well for the visitors who got a penalty after two minutes which they put in the bottom right-hand corner. From the ensuing lineout their big forwards drove over for the second try. They further extended their lead with a penalty 10 minutes later and a bit of breathing space at 21-10.
The Tigers continued to put pressure on the Birmingham defence and a second penalty by Seals on 61 minutes reduced the lead. A lovely passage of play then took Tigers deep into their 20 and the ball was kept alive, building phase after phase, which ended with Scotland under-20s scrum-half, Murray Redpath, diving over under the posts and Seals added the conversion. The hosts were right back in the game at 21-20 with eight minutes to go, however they failed to clear their lines straight from the restart and Birmingham scored their third converted try to seal victory.
This Saturday Sedgley make the long trip to Plymouth knowing they face another big challenge..
