endof Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Birmingham Bulldogs 14 pts, Northampton Demons 32 A young Birmingham Bulldogs Rugby League side, including a number of debutants, put up a brave show against a big and powerful Northampton Demons outfit. Ultimately the size, pace and general experience of the visitors made its mark, but they had to work for it. An early attack from Brum looked promising, but the final pass went into touch. Then Bulldogs conceded a penalty for offside and from the attacking set, right-winger Jack Wheeler went over in the corner, Bulldogs kept Demons out for another dozen-odd minutes and then gained a scrum some 20 metes from the away line. With his first touch of the match, loose forward sub Greg Pearson picked up and raced over, with left winger Danny Bancroft adding an excellent conversion from wide out to put Brum ahead 6-4. Northampton reapplied themselves and generally dominated the remainder of the half, tries from right centre Adam Seamark, full back Jamie Cottle scrum half Ben Youngs plus conversions on the latter two by stand off Richard Kirk [O.Kirk also in side] taking them 14 points clear at the break. HT: Birmingham Bulldogs 6 pts, Northampton Demons 20 Brum had been finding possession difficult to retain and were playing up the slope in the second half. Nevertheless, they went to the Northants line where another storming run from Pearson took him over for his second try. Once again Demons upped the pace and opened out a two-score lead as impressive full back Jamie Cottle went over close to the posts, R.Kirk converting. Bulldogs’ Stewart was then, somewhat harshly, yellow carded for holding down in the tackle. Still the hosts put together a good attack up the left flank, where winger Walker was well tackled. Returning to the attack, Demons’ lose forward Adrian Butler strode over close to the post to give R.Kirk a simple goal kick and stretch the visitors’ lead to 22 points. Though clearly beaten, Bulldogs refused to throw in the towel and, not undeservedly, had the last word score-wise when second rower Ian Wilson burrowed over from close range. Matt Dudley just pipped Pearson as Brum’s man-of-match; Cottle took the award for Demons. Given the overall makeup on the squad, it was a commendable show from Brum. Next week they will hope to be at greater strength for their trip to Leicester Storm. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary: Birmingham Bulldogs 14 Northampton Demons 32 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham: T. G.Pearson 2, I.Wilson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. D.Bancroft -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northampton: T J.Wheeler, A.Seamark, J.Cottle 2, B.Youngs, A.Butler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. R.Kirk 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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