21/10/09 Northumbria Storm Through Birmingham
Thursday, 22 October 2009 11:33

Northumbria University 30 – 0 University of Birmingham
 Adam Houston reports from Bullocksteads Sports Ground
Photography by Ashlie Tridgell

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Northumbria University hoped to pick up where they left off in last week’s victory over Hull against a Birmingham side making the long trip north after suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of Gloucestershire last week. Andy Kelly named an almost unchanged side, welcoming Mark Dack into the side after being missing last week due to commitments with the Scottish National Squad.


Northumbria showed their dominance especially in defence against a very spirited Midlands outfit who never gave up, but lacked a bit of direction in key areas. The home side were a constant threat on the Birmingham line but let too many opportunities pass due to dropped balls from passes which were not necessary. Marcus Broad opened the scoring for the hosts in the 6th minute when he got on the end of Will Bate’s kick to go under the posts, before tagging on the extras to his own score. Andy Forbes furthered Northumbria’s lead on the half hour mark when he ran a great line onto a ball from David Cash to allow Broad the simple extras. Lively half back Bate then got himself on the score sheet when he took the line on to break clear and touchdown, again Broad gifted the extras.

Bate then turned provider when he found Matty Garside who touched down out wide with Broad unable to find his aim with the difficult conversion. Both sides traded possession and Northumbria spent vast amounts of time deep in Birmingham territory before Broad bagged his brace, going over in the corner after a well worked Backs move. Not to be outdone by his centre, Bate then nabbed his second of the game with a fine solo effort just on the hour mark, which Broad was unable to improve.

The last quarter proved to be a sloppy affair with possession being handed over freely, but the home side managed to prevent their line being breached, with their Defence again being a key success.

NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY:
  1. Chris Dawson
  2. Ross Wilkinson
  3. Matty Garside
  4. Marcus Broad
  5. Conor Sheridan
  6. Scott Woods10221_158612333471_516638471_2824958_3603573_n
  7. Will Bate
  8. James Hall
  9. Chris Sant
  10. Karl Brandt
  11. Dave Townend
  12. Josh Taylor
  13. David Cash
SUBS (all used):
14.  Mark Dack
15.  Ian Sherwood
16.  Gareth Schofield
17.  Andrew Forbes

UNIVERSITY of BIRMINGHAM:
  1. Scott Bennet
  2. Nick Henney
  3. Matt Sharp
  4. Rhodri Kent
  5. Rhys Eaton
  6. Greg Stewart
  7. Aiden Oakley
  8. Mike Stuart-Buttle
  9. Andy Stimson
  10. Josh Reid
  11. Tom Goodburn
  12. Matt Shelton
  13. Callum Wilkinson

SUBS (all used):
14.  Chris Borthwick
15.  James Lloyd
16.  Jonny Lynch
17.  John Matthews

Scorers:
Northumbria: T: Broad (6, 55), Forbes (30), Bate (36, 59), Garside (45)
G: (Broad 3/6)

Man of the Match:
Northumbria: Matty Garside, Birmingham: Mike Stuart-Buttle.

Half Time: 18-0
Ref: Graham Lightoular

View the match photo gallery here!
Last Updated on Thursday, 22 October 2009 13:21