A late try from Tawana Chipadze denied the BIRMINGHAM BULLDOGS their first win in ten years over the COVENTRY BEARS who edged home 32-28 in a thriller at Perry Common. After turning round level with their opponents, the Bulldogs built a 28-22 lead only to see it slip from their grasp as the Bears grabbed two scores to snatch the points.

A good start from the home side saw them take the lead, Nigel Burrows charging over for his ninth try of a fine season and Danny Bancroft adding the conversion but the Bears responded positively and Ryan Jenkins got them on the board with an unconverted try.

The Bears then turned the screw and Brad Massey crossed followed by Adam Booth and with two goals from Glen Burnside, the Bears looked to be on their way to their third big win over their rivals this season.

However, the Bulldogs applied themselves and Glen Farnham crossed to put them right back into the game and when Sam Bradley won the race to Bancroft's kick through, the scores were level.

As the rain became more intense in the second period, mistakes became common and some thunderous tackling from both sides kept the third quarter scoreless.

It was the Bears who broke the deadlock as Scott Clendenning-Fenton went over from dummy half for a try that he goaled himself. The Bulldogs came back with back-to-back scores. First, Drew Harper powered through a thicket of defenders to touch down, Bradley's conversion tying the scores once again. Then Jo Baker broke through to score giving Bradley a simple conversion to send the Bulldogs six points clear.

The elusive win seemed in sight but Clendenning-Fenton grabbed his second try of the game and his 13^th of the season but the conversion drifted wide to leave the Bulldogs just two points in front.

They had a chance to seal the game but lost possession and, on the last tackle, a high kick was grabbed by Chipadze who found space for a diagonal run to the posts to touch down. Nikki Hemopo added the goal but the Bears had to survive one last desperate attack from the Bulldogs to secure the points from a terrific encounter.

TELFORD RAIDERS stormed into their first finals appearance in the RLC Midlands Regional after disposing with NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS A in a 20-0 encounter.


Next weekend, Telford Raiders now travel to Leamington Royals for the right to be crowned champions of the Midlands Regional competition.

Northampton Demons host Bedford Tigers in the East of England Regional Grand Final.

Bristol Sonics host Leicester Storm in the Midlands Premier Semi-Final, with the winner facing Coventry Bears in the Midlands Premier Final on Saturday 21st August.