Bees score 16 tries in Hales mauling

Midlands Premier

OLD Halesonians continued their horrendous run after they were crushed 100-0 by top of the table Birmingham and Solihull.

Having leaked 109 points to Sandbach and another 90 against Peterborough Lions in their two previous games, Hales had cause to fear the worse against the title favourites.

Hales didn't help their cause by having winger Steve Jordan red carded for a dangerous tackle with only 14 minutes gone.

Despite being down to 14, Hales defended doggedly for the remainder of the half and kept the score down to 31-0 at the break, Zane Raimondi scored two tries while No.8 Danny Wright and inside centre Nathan Tilsley also crossed the line while scrum half Jack Jolly converted three times.

The floodgates opened immediately after half time as the Bees scored six tries in the space of 18 minutes.

Raimondi completed his hat-trick while flanker Mike Stephens, second row Matt Spink crossed while Chipadza Tawauda and two tries from fly-half Max Rodman put Hales well and truly in their place.

In total, Bees ran in 16 tries, replacement scrum half Jack Secher, full back JT Nabetelevo and centre Steve Johns also getting in on the try-scoring act.

Sandbach pulled off a dramatic 19-17 success at second placed Peterborough Lions where Benny Elliott kicked a dramatic last gasp penalty.

Peterborough led 17-16 going into the final play when they were penalised at a five-metre scrum and fly-half Elliott held his nerve to score.

Newport have now climbed into second spot as they edged past a spirited

Bridgnorth 22-13. Fly-half Monty Maule and scrum half Henry Vaka crossed for tries while No.8 Will Roach was credited with a third following a tight pushover.

Full back Liam Holder converted twice and landed a penalty for good measure.

Longton climbed out of the bottom two following an emphatic 44-14 success at home to Doncaster

Phoenix and leapfrog ahead of Newbold who suffered a disappointing 3619 defeat to Derby.

Eslewhere, Nuneaton beat Bournville 43-23 while Lichfield lost at home to Scunthorpe 33-22.