Bradford & Bingley 47, Broadstreet 34

An 11-try festival of open, running rugby provided great value for money for the paying spectators at Wagon Lane yesterday, but unfortunately Hull Ionians' victory probably condemns both sides to relegation from National League Two North.

Bradford & Bingley finished the stronger but the opening exchanges showed their visitors from the Midlands to be a lively running side with strength in the centre and the back row, which looked likely to overwhelm a sleepy-looking home side.

Although the Coventry side dominated the opening quarter with the wind at their backs, they were only able to take a ten-point lead thanks to a converted Greg Summers try and a Dan Richards penalty.

The Bees finally began to find their feet, and tries from Steve Brimacombe and Tom Cokell edged the Wagon Lane side in front.

However, Bradford & Bingley were unable to keep the lid on an irrespresible Broadstreet side, and right on half-time powerful back-row Nigel Mukurati brought the scores level as he powered over near the posts. Having turned round at 17-17, the Bees opened the second half galvanised by the words of head of coaching Nic Corrigan.

Back-row man Guy Ford crossed on 43 minutes but the Bees left the back door open to allow Toby Handley and Greg Summers to score.

At 27-27, the game was finely balanced as the final quarter started, but scores from Tylon Mafi and Mark Gemmell, both converted by player-coach Stuart Dixon, pushed the Bees into a lead they would not relenquish.

Broadstreet's Summers wrapped up his hat-trick as regulation time expired with a superb arcing run through the Bees defence, but any home nerves were quelled deep in injury time as Tane Jerecivich chased a ball shoulder to shoulder with a Broadstreet defender beyond the try line and, although the Bees man was several inches from touching the ball down, the celebrations of the Wagon Lane crowd persuaded the referee to award a score!

Star man: Ben Greaves (Bradford & Bingley)