Rotherham first up in four home games in February for the Bees

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 in Rugby News

Rotherham Titans are the visitors to Damson Park this Wednesday (2nd February kick off 7.45pm) in what will be the first of four home games for the Bees this February.

The midweek game against the visitors from South Yorkshire is the Championship game that was originally due to be played on Boxing Day, but fell victim to the then near arctic conditions.

In a frank assessment of the Bees second half capitulation against Moseley on Saturday, Bees Director of Rugby Russell Earnshaw described the game as “a huge wake up call for all involved”.

Speaking in his ‘Coaches Corner’ piece on the Club’s website, Earnshaw said, “Moseley were more physical than us as a team – the breakdown was certainly hotly contested and they turned us over three times more than I would like. They tested our discipline and we were far too nice. They certainly punished our mistakes and the two crucial tries midway through the second half came from us making basic errors in our own 22. We never recovered from this and, rather than getting tighter as a team and focusing back on the game plan, our unconscious minds took over and we went off as individuals and tried to win the game on our own.”

“On watching the game both live and then afterwards on DVD, it was like we had revised for a big test, got the first few questions right then had a complete memory blank and panicked. In particular, those that drive the side from key positions did not have the ability to reflect, relax and get us back on plan.”

“So how do we move on from here? Playing together and shared experiences over the next few weeks will play a big part but our main goal is to remain positive, do not be tempted to blame others or look for excuses and to work harder than we already are. Learning from this experience is crucial. We can then look to build sustainable confidence and belief.”

The Bees will get an early opportunity to get back on track with the visit of Rotherham, who are currently lying in 7th place in the Championship table and also suffered an away defeat over the weekend – in their case a narrow 23-19 loss to Esher. Currently on 32 points along with 8th placed Plymouth Albion, Rotherham will be looking for a win to take them clear of a Relegation Playoff berth.

As an extra incentive to all fans, entrance to Wednesday’s game will be just £5 for Adults, with Concessions and Children free.

February will also see further league action at home for the Bees against Bristol on Sunday 6th, as well as the all-ticket final Stage 1 Championship game against high-flying Worcester on Saturday 19th. Finally there is another visit from Rotherham scheduled on the 27th for the concluding match in the B&I Cup Pool stages.

Cox and Davey set to make derby day debuts

Posted on Jan 27, 2011 in Rugby News

New recruits Ian Davey and Sam Cox are both set to make their Championship debuts for the Bees this Saturday (29th January) as the Club makes the short journey to Billesley Common to face Moseley in an eagerly awaited local derby.

Winger Davey and centre Cox both featured in the Bees’ away 23 – ¬15 defeat against Pontypridd in the B&I Cup on Tuesday evening, but the clash against Moseley this weekend will be the first opportunity for the duo to figure in Championship action for their new Club.

Both are named in a match day squad, although Russell Earnshaw ¬ who himself is also in the “22” – is remaining tight lipped about final team selection ahead of the game. “Everyone is looking forward to the game, but it is just another game as far as we are concerned,” said the Bees’ Director of Rugby.

It is a sentiment that is unlikely to be shared by the many Bees’ fans that are expected to help create a bumper crowd at near neighbours Moseley. Both sides are currently sat at the foot of the Championship table, with only one point currently separating the two West Midlands’ Clubs.

A dramatic 80th minute try and touchline conversion secured the points for Moseley when the two sides met at Damson Park back on 22nd October. With Moseley enjoying a good vein of form recently in the B&I Cup and a history of keenly-contested encounters between the two sides, suggests that Saturday¹s game won¹t be anything other then the normal nerve-jangling affair for both sets of fans.

The 22-man Bees squad to face Moseley on Saturday 29th January at Billesley Common, kick off 3pm is as follows:-

Nglau Tau, Rob Dugard, Leo Halavatau, Joe Reid, Ross McMillan, Jack Preece, Semisi Taulava, Dan Wright, Adrian Griffiths, Adam Clayton, Ross Noonan, Rob Connolly, Mike Denbee, Russell Earnshaw, Rod Petty, Jimmy Williams, Mark Woodrow, Will Lawson, Sam Cox, Ian Davey, Mitch Culpin and Ollie Winter.

Experienced centre Cox joins the Bees

Posted on Jan 24, 2011 in Rugby News

Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club has completed the signing of experienced 30 year old Centre Sam Cox from Italian side Viadana.

The former Bath and Bristol back has been plying his trade in Italy and is a former teammate of Bees Fly-Half Mark Woodrow. Having also played alongside Bees’ Director of Rugby, Russell Earnshaw during his Bath days, Cox will have some familiar faces in the Bees dressing room to greet his arrival.

“I just felt we needed a little bit more experience in the backs, especially with the Playoffs on the horizon,” explained Russell Earnshaw. “I’ve known Sam for a number of years and he has Premiership experience to draw upon, which will be invaluable going into the crunch part of the season. He was playing in Italy and was looking for an opportunity to come home and we’re delighted to have him on board”.

Bees’ weekend visit to Llandovery in the B&I Cup will most likely come too soon for the club’s latest recruit, but he could well feature in the squad travelling to Moseley for the Championship clash on Saturday 29th January.

Bees team to face Llandovery

Posted on Jan 20, 2011 in Rugby News

Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club travel to Wales to face Llandovery this Saturday 22nd January 2011 (KO 3pm) for their third B&I Cup fixture of the season.

The Bees team is as follows: 1.Mauro Sperandio, 2.Ben Gerry, 3.Joe Reid, 4.Semisi Taulava, 5.Adrian Griffiths, 6.Russell Earnshaw, 7.Mike Denbee (c), 8.Ross Noonan, 9.Rod Petty, 10.Mark Woodrow, 11.Tomasi Tanumi, 12.Ben Barkley, 13.Will Lawson, 14.Ollie Grove, 15.Ollie Winter,

Replacements: 16.Leo Halavatau, 17.Ngalu Tau, 18.Jack Preece, 19.Jack Bentall, 20.Jimmy Williams, 21.Mitch Culpin, 22.Ian Davey.

Bees secure signature of speedster from Spain

Posted on Jan 19, 2011 in Rugby News

Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club have confirmed the signing of Ian Davey from top Spanish Club CR El Salvador. The 24 year winger joins the Bees until the end of the season and will give the Damson Park outfit additional cover especially with the on-going England Sevens commitments of leading try scorer Simon Hunt.

The Bristol-born winger joined the Spanish Club this season after two highly prolific seasons with Bedford Blues, where he earned a reputation as both one the league’s top finishers and fastest pair of feet with an impressive 100m sprint record of 10.9 seconds to his name. Prior to his time at Goldington Road, Davey was a member of the Bath team between 2005 and 2008, recording 9 league appearances.

“I’ve had a training session with the lads already and they were all really welcoming,” said Ian Davey. “I was looking for an opportunity to get back to the UK to be nearer my family and I’m delighted to get a chance to pull on the Bees shirt and show the fans what I can do”.

“Ian is a quality winger with plenty of top-level playing experience” said Bees’ Director of Rugby Russell Earnshaw. “With Simon Hunt sent to miss the next two Championship games against Moseley and Rotherham due to England Sevens’ commitments, in Ian we have a winger with similar try scoring abilities to slot into our backline”.

Simon Hunt is one of three Bees representatives in the current England Sevens set-up who will be taking part in the next two rounds of the IRB Sevens tournament in Wellington and Las Vegas. He is joined by scrum half John Brake and Russell Earnshaw in his capacity of Assistant coach to Ben Ryan – something that all at Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club are proud to actively support.

Ian Davey is set to be in the squad that travels to Llandovery next Saturday (22nd January) for the Bees’ third tie in their British & Irish Cup Pool matches. Bees are still in second place in Pool D after losing at home 18-12 to Scottish side Ayr last Sunday.