Buoyant Bees on path to survival

4:21pm Thursday 6th March 2008

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Bradford & Bingley have a new spring in their step as they battle to avoid relegation from National League Three North.

They led 21-0 at third-placed Darlington Mowden Park last Saturday before losing 26-21.

But, buoyed by three new signings and an improved spirit, at least the Bees picked up a bonus point.

Neil Spence, joint coach at Wagon Lane, said: "If someone had offered me a bonus point at the team who are third at 3pm last Saturday, I would have taken it.

"But having led 21-0 and bombed a chance of a certain try to make it 28-5 just before half-time, we were left feeling a little disappointed.

"However, we played one of our best 40 minutes of the whole season and, if we can reproduce that form over 80 minutes for the rest of the season, I can't see us losing another match. We played with great spirit."

Only four points separate Macclesfield and Morley, who are in two of the relegation places, and West Park St Helens and the Bees, who are immediately above them.

Spence added: "Our remaining matches are on Saturday at Preston Grasshoppers, who are just above us, at home to Leicester Lions (third), at West Park, home to Macclesfield and at Rugby Lions (fourth)."

The three new boys were second rows Patrick Pole, a Tongan from fellow League Three North side Beverley, and Rodney Turner from Leeds Metropolitan University, and fellow Leeds Met student Dave Moore on the wing.

Selection for Saturday has been delayed until tonight because of injury checks - including one to Phil Greaves, who made his seasonal debut last weekend.