Skip Navigation Links

• Home
• Senior Rugby
  • Results/Reports
  • League Table
  • Fixtures
  • Players
• Junior Rugby
  • Introduction
  • Results/Reports
  • Fixtures
  • News
• Club
  • Officials
  • Contacts
  • Gallery
  • Policies
  • Events
  • History
• Find Us
• Guestbook

2011/2012 Results/Reports

Exiles Break Their Duck in Some Style

Back To Top

Date: Saturday December 10, 2011
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)

Birmingham Exiles 30 Pts, Rugby Welsh 7

Rugby Welsh. It was an all-round team effort: the forwards competed well against a bigger visiting eight, and the backs played fluently from first to last.

E’s were on the defensive early on, a great tackle by winger Higgins spiking an early Rugby attack.

Seven minutes in, the hosts recycled the ball leftwards from a ruck in the right corner; skipper and number eight Hayden Pattison was positioned wide on the right and he went past two defenders for a try that was well- goaled by stand-off Dan Johnstone

Soon after, the home side put another good attack together, but the last pass was just forward.

E’s, though, had the wind in their sails and a storming break through centre field by Poles set up a position from which the ball was whipped smartly to the right where winger James Shackleton just squeezed in at the corner.

The visitors were finding it difficult to make any impact with ball in hand as Exiles chased and harried in defence. Two more E’s attacks failed to complete but, as half time approached, they went to the Welsh line again where hooker George Grime burrowed through a thicket of players to touch down for a try that gave his side a 17-0 lead which became 20-0 when Johnstone kicked a penalty goal just before the break. HT: Birmingham Exiles 20 Pts, Rugby Welsh 0

Rugby Welsh needed to get on the scoreboard and, with the slope now in their favour, they reapplied themselves to their task. An attack down the right flank ended with their winger being forced into touch right on the goal line. It was E’s throw at the lineout, but the home forwards were caught flat-footed as the visitors’ prop Matt Richards was hoisted to take the catch and dive over in the corner. For good measure, number eight Carl Lawson converted excellently from the touchline

Welsh now began to compete more intensly, taking a couple of scrums against the head, but some determined defence by Exiles and a tendency for the visitors to give away penalties kept the next ten minutes scoreless.

With a little over an hour gone Welsh were still in contention when Exiles were awarded penalty in front of the posts. Passing up an easy three points, Exiles tapped and ran, spinning the ball out to right winger Dan Williams whose pace took him over wide out.

But Exiles were not finished yet: Pattison broke clear up the left flank and, as the Welsh defence closed in, he found Johnstone in support and the stand-off dived over for a try that put the result beyond all doubt.

The victory, from which Exiles ‘ five-try haul gave then a bonus point, still leaves them four points behind Rugby Welsh at he foot of the table. But the dry statistics don’t reveal how much this commendable performance served as a morale booster for E’s. In addition to the scorers, the efforts of three quarters Vasey and Higgins were worthy of note. But it was very much a team win.

Next Saturday, Exiles visit mid-table new boys Harbury and will be keen to maintain their momentum. [k.o 2:15]
Report By John Simpkin

Exiles Outmuscled

Back To Top

Date: Saturday December 3, 2011
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)

Coventry Welsh 27 pts Birmingham Exiles 15

Birmingham Exiles RUFC put up a commendable show at Coventry Welsh but, particularly in the first half, the extra bulk of the home side – in the backs especially – coupled with strong running and generally assured handling laid the basis for victory.

Exiles started brightly enough, gaining two early penalties, the second of which was goaled by stand off Dan Johnstone. However, they then turned over possession from the restart and the ball was shipped to the left where winger Kyle Howard crossed in the corner for a try that was well converted by standoff Russell Hughes.

E’s were competing well, though, and came back again: a break by McGee – a constant threat with the ball in hand – was carried on by Higgins; in support was open side flanker Ben Halliwell and he went over in the left corner with only inches to spare to put the visitors 8-7up.

Once again, though, Exiles were turned over at the restart and the ball went out to the left where Coventry gained a penalty. From the tap hooker Mark Ellis drove over.

This score galvanised Coventry and they struck twice more in five minutes as full back Clive Jackson and inside centre Andy Rawlings both rounded off some fluent play with a try apiece.

Exiles looked to cut the gap before half time: a speedy run by winger Higgins down the left saw him tackled into touch just short of the line; E’s then won a scrum against the head followed by a penalty award but then they themselves conceded a penalty and the chance was lost. HT: Coventry Welsh 22 pts Birmingham Exiles 8

E’s needed am early score to get back into contention. A good long-range touch finder penalty got them on their way; the lineout ball was duly collected and the ball was spun to the three quarters where outside centre Calum McGee adroitly stepped round two defenders before haring to the posts for a try that gave Johnstone a straightforward conversion to cut the gap to seven points.

For the third time, though, Exiles were undone at the restart, this time conceding a penalty. From the lineout, the Coventry pack provided good possession for the backs and Jackson came into the line to score his second try.

There was still some twenty minutes left and both sides had chances to post more points. E’s did well to survive a particularly intense attacking spell before a penalty brought relief; they than mounted some good attacking moves of their own but were not able to complete them successfully.

Nonetheless, it was an encouraging overall performance by Exiles, especially in the second half. In addition to the scorers, there was good work in the pack from Brecknall, Avery and Grime.

Exiles face Rugby Welsh in a league match at home next Saturday [Dec. 10]; kick-off 2:15 HT: Coventry Welsh 22 pts Birmingham
Report By John Simpkin

Exiles Have the Edge

Back To Top

Date: Saturday November 26, 2011
Competition: Friendly

Birmingham Exiles XV 19 pts, Warley XV 12

Birmingham Exiles followed up the previous week’s good display against Manor Park with a welcome win against an experienced Warley side. E’s line-up had a sprinkling of second teamers who all acquitted themselves well.

The opening quarter was scoreless, with the visitors playing to their strength in the pack. Exiles’ Johnstone was little more than a foot short with a long-range penalty attempt. It took nearly half an hour for the deadlock to be broken: from some 30 metres out, E’s mounted an attack that saw the ball worked out to the left where winger Dan Williams found space to cross in the corner.

The restart caught the hosts on the hop: Warley left winger Richard Plant followed up the kick alertly, gained posession and went down the touchline before cutting in for a try that was converted by stand-off James Williams, giving the visitors a two point lead.

After an earlier attack had been brought back for a forward pass, E’s regained the lead with an excellent score: from a lineout, a ruck was set and the ball was spun out to the three quarters where inside centre Dean Loveridge cut through the opposition defence and sped to the posts to touch down, standoff Dan Johnstone converting.

The remaining minutes of the half saw E’s generally on the defensive, one occasion just holding up a drive by the Warley forwards over the line. However they held out until the break. HT: Birmingham Exiles XV 12 pts Warley 7

With the slope in their favour and with the (not especially strong) wind at their backs, Exiles looked to add to their lead early in the second half. The set scrums were proving a testing area; at least one was lost against the head and others were driven backwards from time to time.

But the home backs were a degree or two quicker in open play and support by the forwards a bit sharper. A fine break by second rower Brecknall saw him offload in the tackle to Brandon Pattison [NB H.Pattison also in side]who in turn fed outside centre Andrew Vasey who crossed close to the posts, Johnstone adding the goal points.

Warley regathered themselves and, with their pack once again to the fore, proceeded to lay siege to the Es’ line. One series of drives brought Exiles much-needed relief via a penalty. But Warley were soon back in their favoured right corner. A succession of offences from the hosts might have led to a penalty try but, as it was, Warley decide eventually to use their backs, sending the ball across to the left flank were Plant crossed for his second try to make the score 19-12.

There were, though, few minutes remaining and Exiles held out doggedly for a well earned win. Aside from the scorers, scrum half Milne merits mention for an industrious stint on a day when his forwards had plenty to contend with.

Next Saturday [Dec. 3] E’s return to league action with a visit to Coventry Welsh [kick off 2:15]
Report By John Simpkin

Exiles Go So Close

Back To Top

Date: Saturday November 19, 2011
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)

Birmingham Exiles 33 pts, Manor Park 36

Birmingham Exiles put up what was easily their best show of the league campaign so far against their visitors from Nuneaton. Ten points adrift with ten minutes left, E’s grabbed a late score and almost snatched an unlikely victory on the last play.

Good pressure form the home side at the outset led to three successive penalties – the visitors gave away far too many – and stand off Dan Johnstone kicked a penalty from the third of these.

Park took a scrum against the head and in subsequent play, the ball was spun left to right where full back Cameron Forryan scored in the corner.

Two successive penalties against Exiles set up a position from which Park’s number eight, Aaron Willis crashed through fro a try which stand off Dan Joyce converted.

Exiles’ response was prompt: centre Calum McGee sold a neat dummy and ran straight to the posts for a try that Johnstone goaled to cut the gap to two points. Soon after, Johnstone kicked his second penalty to edge E’s ahead by a single point.

The visitors’ Willis, though, was proving a mighty handful and he struck twice before half time: first he drove over following a tap penalty close to the home line then, in his best score, he finished off a lineout move with a galloping run to the line, Joyce adding the conversion. . HT: Birmingham Exiles 13 pts Manor Park 24

The hosts got just the start they needed at the start of the second half as some deft handling by the backs saw Johnstone slip a short assist to prop Dave “Psycho” Poles who charged through an inviting gap from ten metres out, with Johnstone adding the extras. This cut the gap to four points, which became one when Johnstone notched a further penalty for an offence at a ruck.

Manor responded vigorously, and once again it was Willis who did the damage, forcing his way over after his side had gained turnover ball, with Joyce goaling.

Willis was then sin-binned for a high tackle and Johnstone was once again in target with a penalty goal.

Back came Park, as right winger Lee Walker crossed following a tap penalty close to the line to make the score 26-36 with barely ten minutes left.

But Exiles were not finished yet: it seemed that Park were denied due advantage following a knock-on, but E’s didn’t wait to find out. They broke from deep and the elusive McGee just managed to evade his pursuers to cross for his second try that Johnstone converted to make the score 33-36.

In five frantic, final minutes McGee almost worked his way through for a third try and, on the final play, Johnstone’s cross kick was touched down in-goal by the Manor Park defence and so the visitors held on for a victory that they just about deserved. A draw wouldn’t have been unjust.

Fell credit to Exiles for their performance; the narrow defeat gained them a league bonus point, their first of the season. In addition to the scorers, the efforts of forwards Brecknall and Avery merit a mention.

E’s are scheduled to entertain Aldridge in a friendly next Saturday before resuming their league programme with a visit to Coventry Welsh the following weekend [kick offs 2:15]
Report By John Simpkin

Exiles Battle Hard – but Lose Again

Back To Top

Date: Saturday November 12, 2011
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)

Claverdon 27 pts Birmingham Exiles 0

Birmingham Exiles RUFC are still seeking their first league points after defeat at Claverdon. Somewhat under strength, and lacking the physical presence of their opponents in most positions, E’s tried to play a more mobile game but had no luck score wise.

Exiles set up good field position in the home half early on but knocked on. Then they came back downfield via a penalty, but then were themselves penalised.

On their first real attack, Claverdon were more productive: left winger Tom Johnson broke clear wide out and outpaced his pursuers to cross in the corner

E’s got back on the front foot, but found the home defence unyielding in open play and generally on top in the set scrums. Despite this, Claverdon were giving away far more penalties. Unfortunately for the visitors, however, Johnstone was just off-target with two attempts at goal.

The last seven minutes of the half saw the hosts post two more tries: first a move up the right flank saw the ball switched inside where stand-off Ian Wylie was in support to touch down, then straight from the restart, Johnson broke clear and hared for the line. E’s defence did well to haul him down, but he managed to flip a pass to open side flanker Andrew Wenborn who crossed for the try. HT: Claverdon 15 pts, Birmingham Exiles 0

Five minutes into the second half, and the lively Johnson was on hand again to finish off a move on the left; outside centre Dorian Wood was at last on target with a good conversion.

A blow for Exiles at this point at stand-off Root had to leave the field injured. E's took play to the Claverdon line but were held up in a maul and thus lost possession. Still they continued to press but the home defence held out and E’s eventually conceded a penalty.

The home side had made their own fair share of errors in general play, but they still had an eye for an opportunity, and it was – almost inevitably – Johnson who hacked the ball on after a loose Exiles’ pass had gone to ground, and he regathered and went over for his hat-trick score.

Exiles continued to press for a consolation score. Two penalties took them close to the home line, but, as had happened before, they were themselves then penalised in turn.

Despite the pack being edged out in the overall forward battle, flanker James and number eight Parkinson impressed, and there was some inventive play from Shackleton.

E’s face Nuneaton side Manor Park at home next Saturday [19th November]. Kick off at 2:15
Report By John Simpkin

Leaders Made to Work Hard for Win

Back To Top

Date: Saturday October 29, 2011
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)

Birmingham Exiles 5 pts, Ledbury 31

Birmingham Exiles came to their match with Ledbury with a 0% league points record. The visitors came as the top-of-the-table side with a 100% record, including a 73-point haul from their previous match. It all pointed to a runaway win for the Herefordshire outfit. But, in the event, it was anything but as a reinvigorated E’s gave them a real contest.

It looked ominous early on, though. Four minutes in, Ledbury worked the ball wide to the right where winger Kit* Smith’s [*n.b] strong run down he flank took him over in the corner, Outside centre Ben* Smith [no rel.] added a good conversion.

For the rest of the half, though, Exiles gave as good as they got. The forwards held their own, with Brecknall and Gerard doing notable work in the lineout, disrupting the opposition on their own throw more than once. A penalty attempt by Johnstone was just off target. Then E’s ran a penalty and gained a five-metre scrum but were then penalised themselves. A fine low tackle by Johnstone spiked a dangerous-looking raid up the left.

A setback for the hosts around the half-hour mark as skipper Pattison went off injured, but he returned later to play a full part in proceedings.

Shortly before half time, another long-range penalty effort from Johnstone fell just short. HT: Birmingham Exiles 0, Ledbury 7

Playing down the slope in the second half, Ledbury reapplied themselves and posted a prompt score as, from a scrum, full back Jamie Rayfield came into the line to cross for a try that Ben Smith duly converted.

E’s responded with an attack up the right flank that saw winger Williams just forced into touch.

On the hour, Ben Smith eased out the score to 17-0 with a penalty goal.

Exiles response was immediate: from a scrum base, Pinfield fed Root who slipped a “pop” pass to Loveridge; the centre broke the Ledbury line and found fellow centre Calum McGee in support and the latter raced to the line for a try as good as any in the match. Johnstone’s conversion kick struck a post and bounced back.

E’s did all they could to try and cut the deficit, but in the last ten minutes Ledbury posted tries form their skipper, prop Joe Hill and a second for Rayfield, in a move that he started and finished himself. Ben Smith improved both scores to give a final tally that was rather harsh on Exiles’ efforts.

Now E’s must hope the build on a what was a heartening display. Next Saturday, they have a scheduled friendly with Handsworth [kick off 2:30]
Report By John Simpkin

Exiles still looking for League Points

Back To Top

Date: Saturday October 15, 2011
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)

Birmingham Civil Service 42 pts Birmingham Exiles 6

Birmingham Exiles RUFC are still looking for their first league points after defeat by near-neighbours Civil Service. Although the home side had a greater percentage of possession, E’s had enough to have made at least some greater inroad on the final margin, if only they had been able to retain it more effectively.

Playing against a stiff breeze, Exiles went behind straight from .the kick-off, as Service spun the ball out to the right where winger Mark Manton went over in the corner for a try that was well converted by standoff Fran Pugh.

E’s then had Brecknall sidelined with a nasty-looking mouth injury forcing them to rejig the pack. Under some pressure, they held out but conceded a penalty which Pugh goaled.

Back on attack, E’s then gained a penalty themselves and standoff Wayne Burns kicked the goal.

It was only a brief respite, however, as the hosts added a try s from outside centre Paul Lewis, converted by Pugh who also added a second penalty goal.

As half time approached, E’s mounted a good-looking attack, begun by Burns and carried on by Pattison, but, frustratingly, lost posession at a ruck. They then conceded a penalty close to their own line, and Service tight-head prop Darren Barwood strode over following the “tap”, HT: Birmingham Civil Service 25 pts, Birmingham Exiles 3

With the breeze still strong and at their backs, Exiles might have hoped for a better start to the second half. But Service were again quick off the mark as loose-head prop James Clarke [NB L.Clarke, bro. also in side] went over from a ruck close to the line, Pugh goaling. His brother, full back Liam, then went on a 50 metre run down the right centre channel to touch down.

Back on the attack, E’s gained possession from a lineout near the home line, but were turned over at a subsequent ruck. They did, though, notch a further penalty goal from inside centre Calum McGee.

Then came yet another break spearheaded by Pattison but a kick that followed went dead in-goal.

The final score of the game followed some slick handling by the hosts that ended with Pugh joining the try- scorers’ list as he crossed on the right.

Next Saturday, Exiles are at home to Ledbury, who currently top the table. Kick-off at 3:00 pm. HT: Birmingham Civil Service 25 pts,
Report By John Simpkin

Exiles Can’t Break Through

Back To Top

Date: Saturday October 8, 2011
Competition: Midlands West 4 (South)

Birmingham Exiles 0 pts, Atherstone 34

defeat in the competition. Once again, E’s found themselves greatly outweighed by the opposition pack and, with limited possession until late in the game, paid the price in terms of the score line.

Playing down the slope, Atherstone put a penalty touch finder close to the Exiles’ line; E’s did well to hold out and gained a relieving penalty.

Soon after, though, a penalty at a ruck saw the visitors drive to the home line where hooker Dean Merrick forced his way over for the game’s opening try.

Gaining a penalty themselves E’s made progress from a “tap and go” spearheaded by Parkinson and Pattison, but then conceded a penalty. A penalty to Atherstone was more productive, being goaled by full back James Bagnall.

The visitors now stepped up their game, and number eight Dave Whittaker rounded off a move with a try that Bagnall duly converted. Then, straight from the restart, E’s conceded a penalty. Atherstone ran it, and inside centre Rhodri Davies burst through to touch down, Bagnall goaling.

Just before the break, Exiles set up a great driving maul, but lost possession at the ensuing ruck. HT: Birmingham Exiles 0 pts Atherstone 22

Five minutes into the second half, Davies broke clear to cross for his second try, Bagnall converting. E’s responded with an attack into the left corner, but again could not gain any material advantage.

The match was then held up for some 25 minutes following a serious leg injury to Atherstone’s Whittaker which necessitated the calling an ambulance.

With play resumed, Exiles went on the attack again but, frustratingly, were penalised for obstruction by “crossing”,

Atherstone posted their final score when prop Mark Lewis crashed through a tiring home defence to score in the right corner.

It was a tough encounter for Exiles, who deserved some reward for their efforts. They will be looking for the return of some absentees for next week’s encounter [friendly, To be arranged]
Report By John Simpkin

Match Reports

E’s Lose again but much Improved

Back To Top

Date: Saturday September 17 2011
Competition: Midlands West 4 South

Alcester 36 pts Birmingham Exiles 14

Birmingham Exiles RUFC regained a good deal of pride and self-belief following the previous week’s heavy loss to Old Wheatleyans. Against a muscular but mobile Alcester outfit, E’s worked tirelessly from first till last and were perhaps a shade unlucky not to have posted a few more points.

Exiles started brightly, early pressure yielding them a penalty from which full back Dan Johnstone kicked a goal to give them an early lead, The score came at some cost, however: scrum half Pinstone had to go off injured; winger Warrillow deputised, but the back division was dislocated.

Alcester began to get into gear and four attacking phases ended with burly stand-off Scott Carmichael bursting through for the game's first try. Exiles responded well with a break by Betty carried on by Shackleton, but posession was lost. However, shortly after, Johnstone restored E’s lead with his second penalty goal.

The next fifteen minutes were scoreless. For Exiles’, Pinfield came back on, but flanker Russell had to go off.

Alcester regained a lead that they were to never to lose when scrum half Robbie Parker rounded off a fluent move to touch down. They followed this up with a try from number eight Stu Fletcher who went over as “first receiver” from a tap penalty move; outside centre Max Bilcliffe added the conversion.

E’s mounted a good attack just before the break, but were penalised some five metres out for going off their feet at a ruck.

The visitors posed the first points of the second half when Johnstone struck an excellent penalty goal from some 40 metres out.

Back came Alcester, forwards and backs combining to put left winger James Watson over on the corner to make the score 22-9 to the hosts.

Exiles, though, still had plenty to say and, in a move to compare with any in the match, Johnstone, Betty and Shackleton combined to send hooker George Grime over for a try,

Alcester stepped up the pace: E’s did well to thwart a raid down the right flank but then conceded a five- metre scrum. Exiles just managed to prevent a pushover r try, but the ball was then whipped to the left and inside centre Mika Pieri cut through for a try close to the posts which Bilcliffe goaled.

The final score also came from a scrum close to the E’s line, home hooker Brett Allard striking against the head and being on hand to touch down on the loose ball as his pack went over the line. Bilcliffe added the extras once more/

Exiles summoned up the strength for one final attack down the left flank, but were again penalised at a ruck. Nonetheless, it was a heartening show after the previous week. In addition to the scorers, skipper Pattison’s non-stop work at blidn side flanker deserves mention.
Report By John Simpkin

E’s Make a Bright Start

Back To Top

Date: Saturday 3 September 2011
Competition: North Midlands Vase

Bishops Castle 10 Birmingham Exiles 26

Birmingham Exiles RUFC made the long journey to Bishops Castle in deepest Shropshire with a number of debutants in the side. And, after an early wobble, the new look E’s proved their worth with a hard fought win that saw them go into the third round [*] of the North Midlands Vase.
[* [Exiles received a bye in round 1]

The home side got down to business more quickly: attacking down the left flank, they recycled effectively and went ahead after seven minutes when open side flanker Ed Roberts took a short assist to go over in the corner.

The lead was short-lived. Exiles took play to the Bishop’s half and, following a scrum to the hosts, a weak clearance kick was charged down by open side flanker Merlyn Walter who was alert enough to grab the loose ball and touch down for a try wide on the right. Full back Dan Johnstone added the extras with a well-struck conversion.

The visitors now began to dominate, particularly at halfback and centre. Drinkwater made a splendid break, though possession was lost, and Johnstone was just short with a penalty goal attempt. As half time approached, Exiles struck twice in five minutes: first outside centre Calum Drinkwater went on a jinking run to the line for a fine solo try; then impressive debutant stand off Jonathan Betty rounded off a tap penalty move by sidestepping over close to the posts to give Johnstone a straightforward conversion and complete a rewarding half for E’s.

Straight from the start of the second half, Castle went on the attack. Exiles’ line came under intense pressure; they defended well but conceded a penalty. Nothing came of that, but soon after the hosts, playing to their forward strength, cut the gap when skipper and prop Pete Bevan forced his way over for a try.

Bishops kept the pressure up and Exiles defence just managed to hold them up over the line. It seemed that E’s must crack again, but some great work from Pattison followed by a booming clearance kick from Root lifted the siege.

Having survived all that, Exiles then posted the decisive score: not for the first time, the Castle backs mishandled under pressure, and Drinkwater took full advantage, hacking the ball on twice before re-gathering and crossing between the posts for a try that Johnstone goaled to effectively rule out any chance of comeback by the hosts.
Report By John Simpkin