Durham 23-20 Bees

The Bees drop to fifth in the North One East table after a second consecutive defeat and in all fairness were second best throughout much of this contest, with problems starting in the tight, where the home pack appeared to have the edge from the start. This was far from a pretty game and the slight niggle which permeated the contest seemed to suit the home side who seemed to get under the skin and into the faces of Hugh Gumbs' men from the first close encounters between the forwards. Despite not being on top form, with 64 minutes played, the Bees were only 3 points adrift and could have easily snatched an unlikely win as the ball bobbled loose and Semisi Maasi looked favourite to gather the ball and charge clear to the line. However, in his attempt to gather the ball, he was clearly impeded by a home player and Bees supporters on the touch line expected the referee to signal a penalty try. However, rather than waiting for the whistle, Maasi dispensed his own judgement and punched the home player, giving the referee no alternative than to show a red card and the certain seven points and a 4 point lead in the game was now a penalty to the home side and The Bees reduced to 14 men for the final quarter of an hour.

The Bees opened the scoring with a Lance Taylor penalty early in the contest, but the lead was short lived as Durham got over the white wash and quickly added a three pointer of their own to go 8 points to 3 up. Marko Svagusa was tackling everything that moved in the Bees defensive line but many of his team mates seemed slightly out of sorts as the half wore on. However, The Bees were next on the scoresheet as Kati Tuipolotu reached the whitewash. Taylor was unable to improve the score but Durham were soon able to step up and land another penalty to restore a one point lead.

With half time approaching, the blue shirts of the home side were once again in the driving seat and were rewarded with a second try before half time, edging them into a 16 points to 10 lead. however, before the sides headed in for half time Taylor was able to slot another three pointer for the Bees to narrow the lead to three.

The abrasive contest continued into the second half and with tempers fraying on both sides of the ball, the Bees snuck into the led with a second Tuipolotu try, converted by Taylor. Taylor's half back partner, scrum half, Ben Hockenhull was also enjoying himself in amongst the bumping and barging of the forwards and kept the Bees moving where and whenever possible. Although the Bees held the lead, the game was clearly one that could go either way at any point in time and it was no surprise when the home side got their noses in front with a converted score around the midway point of the second half.

Then came the sending off incident with Maasi, which may have tipped the advantage in favour of the home side, but the Bees collectively put in a fine defensive shift to stay within three of their hosts and come away with a losing bonus point. The Wagon Lane men now have a run of three home fixtures against Driffield, Morley and Pocklington which should help get the promising season back on track.
By

Nick Patterson