Fawcett flourishes in Bradford & Bingley late show (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Fawcett flourishes in Bradford & Bingley late show

4:40pm Sunday 15th January 2012 in Bees By Nick Patterson

Altrincham Kersal 18, Bradford & Bingley 23

For the third week in a row, the result in the Bees’ game remained undecided until deep into injury-time.

However, unlike in their previous encounter – when they were a mishit drop-kick away from claiming the spoils at home to Birkenhead Park – the late drama left Martin Whitcombe’s men celebrating victory.

The crucial score came from Joe Fawcett’s try three minutes into time added on.

Although the Wagon Lane men are not firing on all cylinders, they now find themselves fourth and with every possibility of a top-three finish.

Director of rugby Whitcombe said: “A few months ago we would have lost that game. We had some key men unavailable but the squad we are putting together now means we have every faith in the lads that step in.

“That is illustrated by the contribution of Joe Fawcett, who has been superb filling in for Tom Cokell.

“He came off the bench and made possibly the best tackle of the game and was there at the right time to get the score for us at the death.

“We got exactly what we expected from Kersal. They are fighting for survival but they have been improving every week.”

The Bees took the lead through a pair of Gavin Stead penalties but the home side were clearly much improved from the one which capitulated to the tune of 50 points earlier in the season. They never allowed the Bees to establish any pattern to their game.

It was all the home side deserved as they edged in front with a penalty, followed by a try from stand-off Rob Holloway just past the half-hour mark.

The Bees were perhaps fortunate that a score from Steve Brimacombe restored their lead right on the stroke of half-time.

Stead’s conversion gave the visitors a five-point cushion but Kersal regained the advantage when Dylan O’Grady got over the whitewash.

Holloway increased the Kersal lead with another penalty and it looked likely that the home side would claim the win until the Bees forwards battled upfield, with subsitute Fawcett dotting down.