2010/2011 Results/Reports
Other Senior Results
E�s Much Better, though Defeated
Back To TopDate: Saturday 20th November 2010
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)
Manor Park 18 pts, Birmingham Exiles 7
Birmingham Exiles RUFC showed much improvement from their previous week�s defeat against Keresley
in going down 7-18 to Manor Park in Nuneaton in a league encounter. For 30 minutes it looked as if E�s were
going to be on the wrong end of another big score, but they fought back with great spirit and were left knowing
that a lower error count on their part could have made the match a much closer run thing.
Park got on the scoreboard after eight minutes: Exiles lost possession at a ruck and the hosts attacked on
the blind side, left winger Simon Tunnicliffe just squeezing in at the corner.
Tunniclffe continued to threaten and it took two good tackles, first from Drinkwater and then from Pugh
to stop him adding to his tally. But a knock on by E�s gave Park scrum five metres out. The home pack got
a shove on and then spun the ball left where Tunnicliffe posted his second score in the corner. A similar
defensive error by Exiles then ended with Park right wing Lee Walker going over wide out.
At last Exiles put a good attacking move together and Loveridge was unlucky to be held up �in-goal�. Then
Tunicliffe turned goal-kicker as he kicked a penalty goal to make it 18-0 to the hosts.
Exiles, though, particularly in the back division, had indicated they could threaten and now put together
an excellent move, centre Drinkwater breaking clear before supplying the assist to left winger Ben Avery who
went over in the corner. For good measure, full back Fran Pugh added a great touchline conversion to raise E�s
spirits for the second half.
HT: Manor Park 18 pts, Birmingham Exiles 7
With the slope in their favour, Park piled on the pressure at the start of the second half. Twice, in short
order, Exiles turned over possession.
Then a penalty enabled the visitors to kick deep to within five metres of the home line. Unfortunately the
lineout � a problem area for E�s in this match � was lost.
Park went on the attack again and, from about 20 metres out, the pack pushed a scrum some dozen
metres forward, but then knocked on as the ball was spun wide.
Exiles best hope for a score lay in their pace out wide, and twice winger Loveridge was oh the end of
attacks up the right flank, the second time bouncing a defender off him before being forced into touch.
This summed up the second half, which was generally a mix of errors and missed chances for both sides.
Nonetheless it was an encouraging show from Exiles who have the chance to work on further improvements
next Saturday with a friendly against Droitwich 2nds [away: kick off 2:15]
Report By John Simpkin
Exiles find the Going Hard
Back To TopDate: Saturday 13th November
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)
Birmingham Exiles 5 Pts Keresley 42
Birmingham Exiles� recent good form did not continue against Keresley. The visitors from Coventry came
to Bickenhill with a 100 percent league record and proceeded, in the first half especially, to show why they are
running neck-and-neck with Edwardians in the quest for top spot.
A penalty awarded to Keresley for a high tackle some two minutes in, immediately followed by another for
offside allowed visiting stand off Conor Martin to open the scoring with a penalty goal.
Exiles kept Keresley out for some fifteen minutes, and, at one point, home centre Pugh was alert enough
to hack on and chase a loose ball, but E�s were then penalised. Meanwhile Keresley had been putting together
some fluent back line play and a left to right move put open side flanker Dave Moriarty over in the corner
Keresley now got into their stride, and a brace of tries from number eight Ant Collins - the first well
converted by Martin from wide out � took the visitors to the 20-point mark.
Some respite for Exiles as they went to the Keresley �22� from a penalty; they won the line out but then lost
possession. Keresley were more productive, left wing Ryan Docherty ran strongly for a try in the corner, then
his right wing partner, the lively Tony Alcock, finished off a ling-range move to cross for a try which Martin
goaled. Docherty threatened again before the break, but was well tackled into touch.
HT: Birmingham Exiles 0 pts, Keresley 32
With the slope in their favour in the second half, E�s set about things with renewed determination. They
spent some time deep in Keresley territory. Possession won from a post-penalty lineout looked promising, but
play ended with a knock on.
Keresley then won turnover ball and gained immediate reword with a second try for Alcock.
Exiles, though, were giving a much better account of themselves in the second half and went downfield
to the visitors line from a penalty. Then taking advantage of another pending penalty for offside, prop George
Grime [sic] dived on the loose ball for a try; Johnstone�s conversion attempt hit a post.
Back came Keresley: sub-left wing Josh Darcy just evaded Lisle�s tackle for a score in the corner.
Es� kept at it. A fine run down the left by Loveridge and a weaving run through centre field by Lisle both
looked promising but the visiting defence was unyielding. A last-minute penalty for Exiles close to the Keresley
line offered the chance of a consolation score, but the move ended with a knock on.
Next Saturday [Nov 20], Exiles league programme continues with a trip to Nuneaton side Manor Park [ko
2:15]
Report By John Simpkin
All square
Back To TopDate: 6th November 2010
Competition: Friendly
Birmingham Exiles 12 Pts, Birmingham Univ Engineers 12
It was a day of rugby with the autumn internationals kicking off and despite all the home nations losing narrowly
to our southern hemisphere friends, Birmingham Exiles continued to improve in preparation for next weeks
league match against Keresley. The Exiles took on the School of Engineering from Birmingham Uni who were
very fast, fit and competitive. Some ferocious hits were required in the first few minutes of the game, which was
testament to both teams desire to play decent rugby.
Exiles started down hill and tried to offload the ball keeping it alive as much as possible to put the opposition on
the back foot. There were times when the offload was unnecessary, showing panic and lack of control, which
allowed School of Engineering the opportunity to steal ball and run in the first points of the day with a try
This spurred Exiles on and a return try followed closely after with superb hands in the Exiles back line allowing
winger Dean Loveridge space to run it into the corner. [HT: Exiles 5, Univ Engineers 5]
The game was close throughout with good defence from both sides. During the second half Gareth "Chunk"
Holloway made a darting break feeding the ball to Michael "Zammo" Loughrey who ran half the length of the
pitch before finding support on the inside to scrum half Dan Pinfield who scored under the posts. Fran Pugh
converted.
School of engineering came back with a try and conversion of their own to make the score 12-12.
Despite a draw, this gives confidence to Exiles who are back in league action next week at Bickenhill,
v. Keresley, kick off 2.30pm. If you are connected to Exiles in anyway, do come along and support them.
Report By John Simpkin
E�s Clinch Notable Victory
Back To TopDate: October 30th 2010
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)
Ledbury 9 pts, Birmingham Exiles 15
Birmingham Exiles RUFC threw off the effects of the previous week�s heavy defeat by Edwardians to
bounce back with a splendid win at Ledbury. In the first-ever league meeting between the clubs, E�s survived an
early onslaught to keep their line intact � the try count was 2-0 in their favour - and to clinch victory in the last
play of a tense and absorbing match.
Exiles conceded a penalty from the kick-off and spent the next eight minutes in dogged defence in their
own �22� before a relieving penalty took them a bit further up field. The visitors then had lock Weaver yellow
carded and shortly after Ledbury took then lead as stand-off Jack Lambert-Taylor kicked a penalty awarded
for a high tackle.
E�s, though were starting to find their feet, gaining more territorially - the pack in particular were shoving the
home eight back at most of the scrums � and two attacks down the right failed: the first on the final pass, the
second on an unsuccessful grubber kick.
As half time approached, Ledbury scrum half Holbrook went off injured, Lambert-Taylor switching to his
position. On the stroke of the break, Exiles were awarded a penalty some 45 metres out; they opted to go for
goal and an excellently struck kick from inside centre Francis Pugh levelled the scores at the interval.
HT: Ledbury 3 pts, Birmingham Exiles 3
Exiles began the second half with some purpose: a twisting run from Lisle put in open space but support
was lacking and possession was lost. Then E�s did well to survive an attack down the right.
A breakthrough by the home side in centre field ended with E�s Drinkwater penalised, and yellow-carded,
for holding back an opponent off the ball; Lambert-Taylor�s second penalty restored Ledbury�s lead.
But not for long: from a �tap� free kick move, a splendid break by open side flanker Pinfield saw him in
acres of space and at his shoulder, was left winger Mark Lisle who took Pinfield�s pass to cross for a try to the
right of the posts, Pugh�s conversion taking the score to 6-10 to Exiles.
Anybody�s match, and after he lad missed an earlier effort from wide out, Ledbury�s Lambert-Taylor cut the
gap to a nail bighting single point with his third penalty, a more straight-on, though testing kick from 45 metres
out.
A full 20 minutes remained. Ledbury, still full of running tried all they could to recapture the lead but resolute
defence from E�s kept them out.
Another swift raid down the right from Exiles appeared to yield a second try for Lisle, but he was,
surprisingly to most present, adjudged to have knocked on.
With seconds remaining, a scrum to E�s was set 20 metres from the home line. The backs handled fluently
and blindside flanker Hayden Pattison [S.Pattison, bro. also in side] came into the line, sidestepped his would-
be tackler and croosed for a terrific clinching score. Pugh�s missed conversion was irrelevant as the referee
then blew for full time.
It was a heartening, all-round show by Exiles and a reminder of the adage that a week in sport can be a
long time.
Report By John Simpkin
E's First League Defeat
Back To TopDate: October 23 2010
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)
Birmingham Exiles 3, Pts Edwardians 45
Birmingham Exiles� unbeaten league record ended in emphatic fashion against their Solihull neighbours
Edwardians at Bickenhill. Missing key players in the pack, particularly in the back row, and in the back division,
their chances of putting a dent in the visitors 100% record were always going to be slim as, in a match played in
a mixture of sun, hail and rain, Eds showed how they have turned things around from last season.
Things started fairly well for Exiles, as inside centre Francis Pugh kicked a penalty goal to put his side
ahead. The lead was brief though: from line out after a penalty Eds moved the ball down the line to outside
centre Luke Mason who ran strong, hard and straight down the slope for a try between the posts that gave
scrum half Mark Garrick a simple conversion.
A dozen-odd scoreless minutes followed, then Eds number eight Andy Jervis picked up up the ball in his
own half and went some 60 metres downfield to touch down, Garrick goaling.
A hailstorm swept in as the Eds pack, solid in the set scrums, pounded the home eight in the right corner;
Exiles defended to the utmost, but eventually Eds� Aussie hooker Dave Lim burrowed over for a try.
HT: Birmingham Exiles 3 pts, Edwardians 19
With the slope in their favour and the weather having eased a bit, Exiles were looking to score early in order
to have any chance of pulling things round. A rare bit of mishandling by Eds gave Exiles� Warrillow the chance
to hack the ball downfield which he did twice, doing well to regather and flick up a pass which, unluckily, was
knocked on.
The visitors pack continued to have the edge and Exiles were on the wrong end of the penalty count.
Following one such, Eds launched an attack up the right flank which saw inside centre Dan Johnson break
through and cut in for a try close to the posts which Garrick goaled.
Then Exiles went downfield with a good looking attack from a scrum, only to see Johnson intercept and
run unopposed to the posts for his second try, goaled by Garrick.
As the rain eased off in the final quarter, the visitors scored twice more: Jervis drove over from close range
for his second try, Garrick converting and, finally, Johnson strode through a tiring home defence for his hat
trick touchdown.
It was a tough afternoon for Exiles and they gave more than the score line suggests, but, a bit too often, the
final pass didn�t go to hand.
Exiles 2nd XV travelled to Yardley and District to play out a Merit League game in wet conditions.
The first half saw Exiles have the best of territory and possession, but the away side did not make the most of it,
allowing a Yardley try from a tap penalty against the run of play.
Es swiftly responded with a drive up to the Yardley five-metre line, and from a lineout catch and drive Exiles
tight head Adam Patrick scored in the corner. Both conversions were missed, leaving the halftime score 5
apiece.
After the break the Exiles dominated possession from both scrum and lineout, and but for some slack handling
errors, more tries would have followed. Eventually, though, Exiles made their possession count, and slick
hands from fly half Andy Vasey fed full back Ben Avery who scored. The conversion was again missed,
leaving the Exiles to hold out for a well-deserved victory, 10-5.
Next Saturday [Oct. 30], Exiles league program continues with a trip to Ledbury; they will be hoping to
welcome back their missing players for the trip.
Report By John Simpkin
E�s Just Fail to Close the Gap
Back To TopDate: October 16 2010
Competition: RFU Midlands Junior Vase � Round 2
Tenbury Wells 15 Pts, Birmingham Exiles 8
Birmingham Exiles RUFC made a gallant attempt to rescue their RFU Junior Vase tie at Tenbury Wells.
The home side, although one division lower than E�s, had been blitzing their league opponents with average of 50 points per match, but the visitors provided a stern test. The match had seemed to be slipping away from Exiles by the half way stage, but E�s put in a determined effort after the break.
E�s launched a good-looking attack down the right from the off, but winger Chipman was forced into touch. Soon after, Exiles lost a scrum against the head, but nothing came of it, and they matched the home side in this department thereafter, at the very least.
Tenbury, though, began to penetrate and went over the E�s line ten minutes in but the attempt was disallowed for an earlier infringement. But they went ahead soon after as, from a lineout following a penalty, stand off Richard Wozencroft crossed by the posts fro a try that was converted by second row Will Gough.
Exiles went downfield where Pugh saw his penalty attempt drift wide. Shortly after, Gough was more successful for Tenbury, putting over a fairly straightforward kick.
Pugh was again unsuccessful with a penalty attempt from wide on the left and an exchange of kicks saw Tenbury mount a raid on the right: number eight Richard Davies ran strongly down the flank to go over in the corner to make it 15-0 to the hosts.
The closing minutes of the half saw Tenbury repeatedly infringing close to their own line; E�s ran the succession of penalties but to no points came.
Tenbury Wells 15 Pts, Birmingham Exiles 0
Exiles went on the offensive from the off at the start of the second half and opted to take the goal points from a penalty as standoff Dan Johnstone put over a straight-on kick. E�s then duly won a post-penalty lineout close to the hone line but then lost possession. Then Johnstone saw another penalty attempt strike a post.
Both sides were making errors, but Exiles were dominant territorially and in terms of possession. At last their efforts bore fruit as Andy �Scooter� Root, who had switched to full back from scrum half, came into the line, made half break and passed to winger Askins; he in turn lobbed the ball back inside to Root who touched down to complete an excellent move. Pugh�s conversion attempt was off target, but at 15-8, E�s were one score away from levelling matters and perhaps at least taking the match to extra time.
E�s continued to camp out in the Tenbury half, and were not short of possession. But handling errors, and some effective if frantic home defence stopped them adding to their score. Late on, a rare home visit to the Exiles� line looked it might yield further points for the hosts, but they again conceded penalties and E�s were able to attempt one last attack the closing minute, but to no avail.
Exiles were clearly disappointed, but it was a worthy effort. In addition to those mentioned, centre Drinkwater and number eight Taylor worked hard throughout.
E�s must now reorient themselves to league business as local rivals and current table-toppers Edwardians come to Bickenhill next Saturday [Oct 23]. Kick off 3:00 pm
Report By John Simpkin
Exiles chalk up another win
Back To TopDate: Saturday October 9 2010
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)
Atherstone 8 Exiles 21
Exiles travelled to Atherstone looking to go five games unbeaten. They knew they would come up against tough
opposition, and had put in a lot of hard work in preparing to combat the opposition�s forwards. The game started
in style with a scintillating try from a well-worked set piece. Good work from the Exiles pack off the lineout gave
the backs quick ball where they capitalised on an opening made by Askins, quick hands out to the wing seeing
Pugh dart across the line for a try which he converted himself.
Atherstone were stunned, especially when Askins made a counter attack which allowed quick ball out to
Drinkwater who found a gap by running straight and hard and was unlucky to get held up short of the line; quick
thinking saw a great offload to Pugh who darted in round the back to score under the posts and once again
added the goal points.
The large home support were beginning to wish they hadn�t turned up as their team was being outplayed in
every part of the game! There was a glimmer of hope when the home pack set up a driving maul, going some
30 metres before being pulled down, the resulting penalty giving them 3 points. That was the only time in the
first half that Atherstone looked like scoring as E's piled on the pressure with a darting break from flanker Adam
Pinfield. He seemed to stumble short of the line but quick support from Dan Johnstone gave Exiles their third
try of the match, plus a third conversion from Pugh.
Half Time score Atherstone 3 Exiles 21
The second half slowed down as Exiles allowed the home team back into the game, however good defence
was keeping Atherstone at bay. Eventually Atherstone got a try back in the corner after sustained pressure but
never looked like scoring again due to the Exiles defence. A few last minute efforts failed to get the fourth-try
bonus point, but E's were still sound in defence.
Final Score: Atherstone 8 Exiles 21
Exiles next league match is a local derby against Edwardians at Bickenhill on 23rd October that will feature two
teams who are unbeaten in the league. Before that E's have to travel to Tenbury this Saturday [October 16] for
the 3rd round of the Junior Vase. E's under 17s travel to Trentham RFC on Sunday for their second game of the
season.
Report By Andy Root
Exiles grind out win
Back To TopDate: Saturday 2nd October
Competition:Friendly
Aldridge 10 Exiles 17
An Exiles XV travelled to Aldridge in a last minute match in preparation for next weeks league match away to Atherstone. It was a physical and scrappy game which gave Exiles something to think about. Despite a slow start and lack lustre performance, E's still found it in them to create scoring opportunities out wide with an experimental back division wokring hard to allow the opportunities. Final score Aldridge 10 Exiles 17
Exiles 2nd XV travelled to Kings Norton and played their 2nds in a one way match. Exiles 2nd XV is slowly beginning to match the 1st's with a number of players having already represented the club in the 1st XV league, and this showed against a much weaker opposition. Exiles were always on top and came out comfortable winners exceeding the 50 point mark.
Report By Andy Root
E�s Go Through with some Style
Back To TopDate: Saturday September 25 2010
Competition: RFU Junior Vase � Round 1
Birmingham Exiles 21Pts St Leonard�s 5
Birmingham Exiles RUFC carried over their good league form into the opening round of the RFU Junior
Vase with a victory over the Stafford side St Leonard�s. The pattern of the match was fairy similar to the
previous week�s win over Alcester, with E�s pack edging the forward battle, and the backs capitalising on the
forwards� prodigious work.
Playing down the slope, Exiles saw two good-looking early attacks fail with knock-ons. Then, after ten
minutes, Pugh attempted a penalty goal; the kick went wide, but the defensive clearance kick was skewed
and Taylor regathered and drove forward. From the ruck, the ball went to the right where outside centre Jay
Drinkwater put in a short �grubber� kick he dived on himself to touch down for a try.
E�s backs were finding gaps in the St Leonard�s defence and a fine break from Warrillow yielded a penalty
for the hosts but they were then penalised in subsequent play. However, they continued to press and a penalty
goal from inside centre Fran Pugh eased them out to an 8-0 lead.
St Leonard�s were competing gamely at this stage, but Exiles hassled and harried in defence and kept the
visitors out. Going on the attack again, they were held up over the Saints� line; from the five-metre scrum the
ball went to the right where winger Steve Askins, though seeming to collide with a team-mate, went over in the
right corner on the stroke of half time.
HT: Birmingham Exiles 13 pts, St Leonard�s 0
St Leonard�s got just the start they were looking for after the break. Fielding a loose clearance kick, they
combined well and went down the slope, some good handling ending with blind side flanker Cy Evans going
over in the corner to make it 13-5 to E�s.
Exiles responded with gusto, and the next dozen minutes saw a series of runs from the home three
quarters that came close to extending the lead. Twice winger Hetherington went for the corner- and twice he
was just hauled down. Pugh broke clear and passed to Askins, but the move ended with E�s being penalised. St
Leonard�s, battling for all they were worth, then took a scrum against the head to spike another home attack.
Something had to give, though, and a second penalty from Pugh moved the score out to 16-5.
Pugh then went off and was replaced at centre by Watts who promptly made a storming break up the
centre of the field before passing to Johnstone who was just tackled at the line and then penalised for holding
on in the tackle.
The hosts, however, would not be denied and quick ball from a scrum was recycled before it was whipped
out to the right wing where Askins went over in the corner for his second try.
St Leonard�s would not give up, and in the last minute of the match, winger Butler went on a pounding run
down the right flank, but was halted just short of the line and then penalised for holding on, which effectively
ended matters.
So, a thoroughly workmanlike performance takes Exiles to the next stage of the competition. Aside from the
scorers, the contributions of skipper Pattison and number eight Taylor merit mention/
Report By John Simpkin
E�s battle to Notable Win
Back To TopDate: Saturday September 18 2010
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)
Birmingham Exiles 23 Pts Alcester 3
Birmingham Exiles RUFC followed up the previous week�s draw against Trinity Guild with a hard-earned, well merited win against Alcester. Dominant in all phases of the game, bar the line out, the home pack provided a steady supply of good ball for the backs who handled with greater fluency than their opposite numbers.
After Alcester�s Randall missed an early penalty attempt, E�s mounted a good attack but were penalised for holding on in the tackle. However, they took the lead six minutes in when right-winger Fran Pugh kicked a penalty awarded for offside.
Then came a great kick chase and regather from Pattison down the left flank; he seemed certain to score, but was tackled just short of the line.
E�s were clearly on top at he set scrum at this stage, and, gaining penalties close to the line, kept opting for a scrum. From the last of these, skipper and blindside flanker Hayden Pattison* ttok a short pass and charged to the posts for a try which was converted by Pugh for a 10-0 lead.
The remainder of the half was an attritional battle with Exiles defending well when they had to, and keeping their line intact.
HT: Birmingham Exiles 10 pts, Alcester 0
The hosts had a good start to the second half as Pugh slotted his second penalty to ease out the score to 13-0.
With the slope in their favour, the visitors pressed hard, bur Es� defended tenaciously. Then, not for the first time, centre Thomas led a break out from deep, but the move ended with a knock.
With the pack generally having the better of things at the scrums and in open play, Exiles spent some dozen or so minutes in the Alcester half but gained no points.
Alcester went downfield and gained a penalty 20 metres out. Somewhat surprisingly they opted for a goal attempt and standoff Jamie Randall kicked the points.
The visitors returned to the attack, but again home centres Drinkwater and Thomas led a strong counterattack which ended when E�s were penalised. However, Exiles went back on attack and Pugh�s third penalty made it 16-3.
E�s clinching score came in the closing minutes: the three quarters moved the ball left and Pugh then kicked ahead and just won the chase to beat the Alcester defence to touch down. For good measure, he then added a fine conversion from wide out to complete the scoring with a personal tally of 18 points. Alcester pressed hard for a consoling score, but the home defence was in unyielding mood.
It was a commendable all round display from Exiles who will look to build on this performance.
Next Saturday [Sept.25], knockout rugby as Exiles host Staffs side St.Leonards in the opening round of the RFU Junior Vase
Exiles 2nd XV recorded a thumping 52-0 home win over Aston Old Edwardians 3rds in a Midlands Merit League match
Report By John Simpkin
All Square for Es
Back To TopDate: Saturday 11th September 2010
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)
Trinity Guild 17 pts, Birmingham Exiles 17
Birmingham Exiles RUFC began their league campaign with a intense, absorbing, drawn match with Trinity Guild [who play by Coventry Airport in Baginton], Guild were promoted last least and proved to be durable opponents, E�s once again facing a bigger pack, but competing well all over the field from first to last.
Exiles got just the start they wanted: counterattacking from within his own half, flanker Patterson saw plenty of space to his left and spun a long pass to Daryl Hetherington. The winger had two defenders in front of him but beat them both with a curving run that took him between the posts; stand-off Francis Pugh kicked the simple conversion to put the visitors 7-0 up. Pugh then had two further chances to extend the lead with penalty goal attempts, but was just wide each time.
Then E's had to defend, which they did well, but were forced to concede a penalty from which right winger James Mainwaring kicked a goal to cut the gap to four points.
A great piece of opportunism then extended Es� lead. The hosts spilled the ball in midfield, and Pugh snapped it up, sidestepped his would-be tacklers and sped to the posts, adding the goal points himself.
Guild then struck back as, from a scrum, the ball was sent to the blind side where full back Luke Billyeald [M.Billyeald (Bro) also in side] took a short pass to cross wide on the left, Mainwaring adding a good conversion to cut the gap to four at the break.
HT: Trinity Guild 10 pts, Birmingham Exiles 14
E�s Pugh was injured at the start of the second half, but was able to continue after treatment. Exiles� line came under pressure again, but they gained a relieving penalty. Two good runs followed, from centre Thomas and from Hetherington, but each ended with the player in touch.
On the hour, and playing with increasing fluency, Guild took the lead, winning a line out some 15 metres out and stand-off Rob Meikle selling a dummy and crossing between the posts, Mainwaring converting to make it 17-14 to the home side.
Exiles responded promptly, gaining turnover ball and going to the Guild half where they gained a penalty. Dan Johnstone, who had replaced Pugh at stand-off, kicked the goal to level matters at 17-apiece.
Still time for either side to win it. The ever-dangerous Billyeald made a storming run down the left, but a thumping tackle from E�s Loughrey put man and ball into touch. Finally, Guild�s Mainwaring attempted an ambitious 50-metre penalty goal. The kick was well struck, but didn�t have quite the distance or direction. Exiles cleared and that was that.
It was an encouraging show by E�s whose pack, youthful but with leavening of old heads, generally gave as good as they got; the backs, too, showed plenty of pace. The draw was a pretty fair result.
Next Saturday, Exiles league programme continues with the visit of Alcester to Bickenhill. [Kick0ff 3:00pm]
Report By John Simpkin
Exiles in Tough Test
Back To TopDate: Saturday 4 September 2010
Competition: �Friendly�
Woodrush 33 Pts, Birmingham Exiles 10
Birmingham Exiles RUFC completed their �pre-league� warm-up matches with a demanding encounter at Woodrush who play a division higher than E�s in the pyramid. There are close on half a dozen new faces in the side this year. Plenty of youthful enthusiasm, but the home side�s bigger, if more veteran pack, took the forward battle overall.
The hosts� hooker withdrew with an injury after the first scrum but scrums were still contested. Exiles almost took an early lead but just failed to grab the loose ball close to the home line. Two penalties from scrums went E�s way, but in both cases, the restart lineouts were lost.
A strong, direct break by flanker Dunne saw him assist supporting prop John Anderson who crossed for a try that standoff Martin Leach converted to put Woodrush 7-0 up.
E�s responded vigorously, and gained due reward when a well-struck 45 metre penalty goal from standoff Fran Pugh cut the gap to four. Woodrush countered: winning a lineout after a penalty, their forwards set up a rolling maul that drove to within five metres of the visitors� line, where scrum half Lucas Moon stepped round the edge of the pack to touch down, Leach again goaling.
As half time approached, Exiles mounted two good-looking attacks down the left flank, but lost possession on the first and conceded a penalty on the second.
HT: Woodrush 14 pts Birmingham Exiles 3
Another penalty at the start of the second half set up the hosts close to E�s line. From the line out, second rower Tom Austin found a gap in the Exiles� line to go over for a try.
Exiles went back on the attack, but the result was a touch cruel: held up over the line, E�s won the five-metre scrum. However, the ball went to ground as it went down the line, and home centre Jez Connolly hacked the loose ball downfield, regathered possession and outpaced his pursuers to touch down, Leach duly converting.
Ten minutes on Woodrush were awarded a penalty some 15 metres from Exiles� line. With the defence somewhat unorganised, Moon tapped and went over wide on the left, Leach adding a good goal.
Thirty points down, but E�s kept at it, lasting the pace as well their hosts and gaining a series of penalties. From one of these, they went down the left flank with a series of drives and rucks that ended with second rower Mike �Zammo� Loughrey stretching out in the tackle to touch down, Pugh�s conversion glancing off a posts before going over to complete the scoring.
This was Exiles last fixture before the start their league campaign. Which begins at Coventry side Trinity Guild next Saturday [11th Sept]. They should be boosted by the return of one or two absentees, but will know they have some hard work to do meantime.
Report By John Simpkin