Bees 6-35 Rotherham

Bees started off really well and in the first half they played magnificently, but still managed to go in 9-6 down at half time.
The first half was all Bees. Rotherham got into the Bees half three times and achieved three penalties from various Bees infringements. Bees on the other hand spent most of their time in the Rotherham half but earned just 6 points from Tim Walsh's boot included a beast of a drop goal from miles out. They could and should have capitalised more on their strong wind advantage in terms of points, but the possesion and general attacking play was quite impressive. But for a drop over the goal line from Martin O'Keefe, Bees would have had at least five, and if they had had some better luck could probably have scored a couple more. As before, Bees attacking play in the last 10-20 metres let them down a bit but helped by a great Rotherham defence, but it was very encouraging to see them get and stay in that zone quite often. With Rotherham down to 14 temporarily at the end of the half, I would have like to see the Bees really turn the screw and press for points. As it was, the Rotherham defence prevented this, and they even scored a penalty to take the game to 9-6 in their favour at half time.

One curious thing... I sort of look out for horribly unfit players. My previous record holder at Sharmans Cross was former Bee Neil Fletcher who was called upon towards the end of last season. However, in todays game the bar was raised significantly by the Rotherham prop (Rod Latham, I think). This chappy was clearly knackered after five minutes (there is a photo of him taken after 5 minutes, and another side profile photo). I felt quite sorry for him actually because he was clearly out of the game (walking, resting, walking, scrummaging etc) but the Rotherham coaching staff were so late in replacing him. Well done to that man for persisting for so long.

The second half was a completely different story. Bees were dreadful. Their usually rocksteady defence leaked a couple of tries through poor tackling, Aaron Takarangi seriously struggling with the Nat 1 leading try scorer David Strettle.
In fact, Bees had so little possesion that even the most hardy of Bees supporter to get frustrated and turn to the club house.
Two of the four tries were quite dubious. In one of them, a Rotherham player chipped through into the in-goal area and then pushed Simon Hunt in the chase before diving on the ball. In my mind that should probably have been a Bees penalty. Another Rotherham try was an interception which was clearly knocked on (not deliberately but still...) early on but the referee (Mr Sharp), who had a very good game in all fairness, probably missed.

Those comments would probably be papering over the cracks though. Bees were terrible. A couple of players played quite well, Tom Richardson gave a good account of himself as did Simon Hunt. Old timer Rob Merritt took the ball on well into contact and in the first half the backrow played very well. Robbie Hurrell was by far and away the best Bee on the field. Robbie showed passion and fight in everything that he did and showed exactly how we should be playing our rugby.

Lets give the Bees a big cheer for the Bees in the Easter derby match. I can't make the match owing to rugby tour to Dublin, but I'll be listening out for that roar from across the Irish Sea when we win.

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