Whittington RFC completed the double over Birmingham Barbarians and picked up the bonus point on the way – but it was not all plain sailing at Eastern Avenue.
The hosts had a few injuries so the men in blue and white fielded a youthful side as the club’s recruitment drive continues to gain momentum.
In windy but dry conditions Birmingham opened the scoring with a penalty right in front of the posts.
The home side though kept to their game plan and minutes later scrum half James Crawford dotted down in the corner for an unconverted try to make the score 5-3.
The visitors were stronger in the scrum and despite their lowly league position they posed many questions to Whittington.
Midway through the first half, Birmingham took the lead after a quick penalty led to good hands and the winger crossing for a converted try.
Just before half time, Springbok Ritchie Graham crashed over the line for a converted try to give the Staffordshire outfit a slender 12-10 lead.
Captain Martin Hughes gathered the players round for a half time team talk and whatever he said must have worked as Whittington came out and eliminated the silly mistakes to punish the Barbarians.
From a kick for territory, Stephen Brown picked up the ball and a fine pass to Adam Evans claimed Whittington’s third try of the game and extend the lead to 19-10.
Moments after Evans and his team mates were in celebratory mood again as his second – and Whittington’s fourth – put the home side into a commanding 26-10 lead.
Moments before the final whistle Pat Hobson, who had a stellar game with his running rugby, got a deserved try to make the final score 33-10.
Whittington travel to Walshes Farm to take on Stourport who won 12-11 at Eastern Avenue earlier in the season.
The club are still looking for new recruits during the season, anyone interested in taking up rugby should contact Martin Hughes on 07854 129312 for more details
