Birmingham Solihull 30, Old Halesonians 13

Hales travelled to Bees this weekend looking for a win despite forced changes to the squad with charismatic Neil Mason and Rich Taylor unavailable.

The initial exchanges favoured Hales with a strong scrummage forcing a penalty after 10 minutes, converted by Ian Briggs. The visitors produced some excellent passages of play with front row Matt Young, Sam Jones and Matt Probert looking strong.

Ben Tibbetts at scrum half, Carl Robinson and Ben Barkley in the centre made good ground and kept the home side on the back foot.

After 15 minutes Joe Collingham collected the ball, drove through the defence, fed Chris Hooper inside for a try, converted by Briggs.

Hales seemed in control as Bees lost their loose head prop to a yellow card for collapsing the scrum.

Briggs extended the visitors' lead to 0 - 13 with the home side responding shortly after with a penalty for a 3 - 13 score at half time.

It was crucial for Hales to keep up the pressure into the second half, they started well but lost momentum with injuries to Sawyer and Collingham. On 57 minutes Bees came back with penalty.

Hales allowed the opposition into the game and the last 10 mins was all Bees.

Briggs received a yellow card, the resulting line out saw the home side find there man and drive for a converted try to draw level.

Hales were carrying injuries as Bees built the pressure. Two more converted tries and a penalty saw the hosts victorious and another game won by Hales in the first half and lost in the second.

Hales sit sixth in the National 3 Midlands league and meet Worcester Wanderers at home in the semi-final of the North Midlands Cup this Saturday, kick off 2 pm.