After a week in which training numbers were high and defence high on the agenda, Chargers faced a Birmingham side intent on playing running rugby and scoring tries, however training at last seemed to be paying off.
From the start Chargers defended stoutly and pinned Birmingham deep in their own half, line speed had improved and the Bulldogs looked rattled from the offset. A new look forward pack saw the returns of hooker Sean Helders and loose forward Neil Storey with a debut for newcomer Alan a 1st start at prop for strong running loose forward Damien Pope. The forwards were the catalyst for the early try and after several big hit ups, Stand off Josh Rymell shimmied his way to the line diving beneath would be tacklers. Pope stepping up to convert.
Birmingham now threw everything at the Chargers and eventually after several sets it paid off, quick hands saw the overlap appear and they ghosted in to pull it back to 6-4.
The Chargers were now playing some great rugby of their own and centre Danny Rymell & Dave Brown were taking the game to their opposite men both in attack and defence with wingers Gozzard & Eggleton getting in on the act. The next try came on the half hour mark. Great work in midfield by the Chargers saw them move up the field and a cross field bomb was knocked on by the Bulldogs wing 8metres out. From the set scrum a dart by Storey saw the position set up and Pope crashed his way over in the corner taking several wouldbe tacklers with him.
Bulldogs managed to pull a further score back but it ended 10-8 to Chargers after a bruising contest.
The second half Bulldogs flew out of the blocks scoring two quick tries to lead 16-8 ….
The hot humid conditions were now beginning to tell and more gaps appeared on the pitch, several chances went begging for Chargers and composure needs to be the key word this week. Birmingham saw the bigger, stronger Chargers tiring and managed to score a couple more tries to lead 26-10 with ten minutes to go. The Chargers however have shown this season that they have a never say die attitude and it showed as with 5 minutes to go they got there reward, first after Alan had been stopped short and then Pope, the gap opened up for Brown to dive over. Pope Converting.
Chargers tried in vain to get another score and although they got close to the line it wasn’t to be.
A great performance and easily the best of the season against a well organised Bulldogs side with plenty still to work on at training.
MOM- Dave Brown strong running and strong defence
DOD – Alan – just for being Alan
