NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS slumped to their 4th straight defeat in the Rugby League Conference National, going down 48 - 14 at the hands of Warrington Wizards. The Outlaws battled hard for much of the game, but failed to be clinical in attack and suffered several lapses in defence to allow the home side to come away with all the spoils.
In the RLC Midlands Premier, COVENTRY BEARS maintained their position at the top and need only a point from their remaining two games to secure the Minor Premiership.
They picked up their tenth win of the season with a 36-18 win over LEICESTER STORM at Tile Hill but after building a comfortable lead, they had to withstand a determined fight back from the Storm to secure the points.
Bears were in cruise mode at half time with an 18-0 lead through tries by Kurt Johnson, Scott Clendenning-Fenton and John Nichols all converted by Nathan Tilsley.
When Tilsley intercepted a wayward pass early in the second half to score between the posts and Johnson added his second try, again converted by Tilsley, Storm looked to be well beaten.
However, galvanised by two tries from George Leng and another by Jamie Muggleton, one of which Muggleton converted, Storm roared back and rocked the Bears until former Leicester loose forward Karl Wesley steadied the ship for the Bears powering over to score once again against his former club.
Storm had the last word, Jordan Connell crossing for an unconverted try but Leicester need to beat Birmingham next weekend and hope that other results go for them if they are to grab second place in the table.
BIRMINGHAM BULLDOGS recorded their second win in three meetings with BRISTOL SONICS to jump into second place in the table after an assured performance at Perry Common.
Birmingham went on the attack from the kick off and Nigel Burrows opened the scoring with a try that Danny Bancroft goaled.
Bulldogs were looking confident and extended their lead through Chris Humphrey, Bancroft adding the extras but they had to withstand some Bristol pressure and Harry Marson was held up over the line twice as the Sonics pressed to get back into the game.
However, the hosts were able to extend their lead before the break, Drew Harper being given a try by Burrows and Sam Bradley adding the extras.
The home side opened the second period strongly and had two tries on the board in the opening six minutes through Burrows and a fine solo effort from Rich Rainger, Dean Morris converting both to take them to a 30-0 lead.
Sonics began to claw their way back into the game and finally got on the board, Marson going over from close range and Dom Swann adding a good goal.
Marson then added a second in similar fashion, again improved by Swann but they were unable to make any further impression and drop to third in the table.
In a friendly fixture, GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARRIORS grabbed a morale-boosting ten try, 48-36 win over new side Wiltshire Wyverns, who showed plenty of promise in only their second ever game
LEAMINGTON ROYALS consolidated their position at the top of the RLC Midlands Regional league with a convincing 58 - 22 win over a hard-working COVENTRY BEARS 'A'. At 4-all after 10 minutes the game could have gone either way, but Leamington worked the ball well and pulled away with several long range tries.
BIRMINGHAM BULLDOGS 'A' fought out an absorbingly tense 20-all draw with NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS 'A' in the RLC Regional competion.
Falling behind to an early converted try, Birmingham responded with a touchdown from right centre Jack Edwards.
The visitors forced a goal line drop out and, on the back of it, another converted try put them ahead 12-4 at the break.
A great start to the second half saw stand-off Travis McIntyre touch down for Bulldogs, the excellent Danny Norton adding the goal.
A terrific up-and-under from Joe Madden then caused an Outlaws defender to collide with a post and Madden dived on the loose ball for a try which Norton converted to make it 16-12 to Brum.
Outlaws regained the lead with a converted try from a power play after the fifth tackle, only for Bulldogs to respond with a try for debutant winger Adam Conniff to make it 20-18 for the hosts.
In a dramatic end, a late penalty for Outlaws levelled it at 20 points all, which was a fair result and one that should ensure Birmingham 'A' a playoff place while the Outlaws are are a point behind the leaders.
