ROCKIN’ Birmingham & Solihull pumped up the volume against mighty Tynedale in their charge for promotion to the newly-formed English National Championship when they blew away the hosts’ proud home record of 38 league games without defeat.
Player-coach Russell Earnshaw revealed how he used rock music to motivate his team for the clash against the kingmakers of National League Two.
“I always play some music just to get the lads up for a match,” he said, “but this time I turned the volume up and sent them out singing – and we did the same again at half-time.”
The music therapy certainly worked, with Kiwi flanker Chris Brightwell smashing his way through countless tackles right from the kick-off.
It was a mood that ran right through the team – blindside Rob Connolly flattening Tynedale winger Charlie Ingall before helping himself to the first try of the game on 23 minutes after full-back Reece Spee had sliced through the home defence.
Winger Simon Hunt was also on song for the Sharmans Cross Road outfit, bagging three tries and becoming top try scorer in the league with 30.
The home fans looked on in horror as their much-vaunted defence was torn to shreds as the rampant Bees ran in a further three tries through fly-half Mark Woodrow, lock Alex Davidson and centre Rod Petty. Woodrow kicked five conversions.
In reply Tynedale scored three tries, two for replacement winger James Hoyle and a consolation by scrum-half Ross Samson after 86 minutes. Fly-half Gavin Beasley kicked two conversions and lock Andy Murray a penalty.
A delighted Earnshaw was quick to sing the praises of his team as they now target the league decider at home to third-placed Redruth on Saturday.
“I can’t wait for it to happen, I’m so excited about it. All the lads were really up for it and although we’ll have to do our homework for Redruth, we’ll be turning up the volume for them too,” he added.
TYNEDALE: Smales, Cole, Harrison, White, Ingall, Beasley, Samson, Southern, Graham, Harden, A Murray, Gesinde, J Murray, Irvin, Beasley. Replacements: Sculeon, Fieldhouse, Showler, MacGilchrist, Hoyle.
BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL: Spee, Hunt, Tomlinson, Petty, Aston, Woodrow, Brown, Long, Phillips, Voisey, Davidson, Pammenter, Earnshaw, Connolly, Brightwell. Replacements: Lawrence, Preece, Halavatu, Ward, Culpin.
