Manny Riaz try is cold comfort for Bradford & Bingley as they are well beaten at Penrith in North One East

ON A freezing cold afternoon in Cumbria, Bradford & Bingley were on the wrong end of a seven-try beating as their hosts took maximum points to stay second in the table, while the defeat leaves Martin Whitcombe's men only five points clear of the relegation places.

The Bees were architects of their own downfall to some extent as the home side were allowed to break through the defensive line far too easily and far too often, with the defensive shape becoming increasingly ragged as the game wore on.

The visitors began brightly enough and were probably the better side for the first 25 minutes, but only managed a single score through a Manny Riaz pushover at the end of that period.

Although the Bees side was again subject to a number of changes in personnel, the butter fingers evident when they had the ball in hand and the inconsistent defence which allowed Penrith to take hold of the game and eventually run away with it, cannot be blamed on those changes, as the basic skills of passing and tackling seemed to be forgotten as the game wore on.

As the first quarter drew to a close, Penrith put together their first coherent attack as winger Jon Fell sliced right through the visitors' defence to feed Brad Taylor, who was in for the opening score for Penrith.

This was clearly a sign of things to come as the Penrith backs grew in confidence and found more space to keep the Bees back pedalling in defence.

At 7-5 with half-time approaching, it seemed that the game was set to be fairly close, but suddenly things began to go completely awry for the Bees, and the visitors were suddenly 19-7 in arrears as Jamie McNaughton outpaced the defence to reach the line for two well-taken scores.

The second half did not start any better for Bradford & Bingley as Penrith were quickly back on the scoreboard with another Taylor try, which brought up the bonus-point score.

The home backline were clearly enjoying their afternoon as the Bees gifted Penrith possession and territory and appeared unable to contain the fast-flowing rugby being played by the Cumbrian side.

Home captain Ed Swale was next on the scoresheet as the Bees defence appeared to have taken a leave of absence as he galloped home untouched.

A poor clearance kick then gifted wingman Fell a clear run home for try number six, and the final score duly arrived when Penrith No 8 Ryan Johnson drove over from close quarters.

The Bees' season does not get any easier as they visit third-placed West Leeds on Saturday.