Sat 3 Oct 2026, 15:00
Roundhegians got their home campaign off with a narrow win over a tough Bradford and Bingley side, making it 2 wins from 2.
Before the game, a minute's applause was observed for Mark Robinson who sadly passed away suddenly in August. 💚🖤
The Bees had the better of the opening exchanges; a slow start from the home side led the visitors  to open the scoring with a high kick and a wicked bounce allowing Bradford to regain possession, offload, and score under the sticks. Interestingly, deciding to celebrate before scoring ended well for them this time! (0-7)
Roundhegians responded relatively quickly; a brilliant line and some fast footwork sent Ieuan Applebee over for the first of his three scores (7-7). Â Bradford hit back 5 minutes later after a line break from a missed tackle created a 2-on-1 and Bees went over in the corner (7-14). There was then a long pause after Archie Naylor suffered a concussion that resulted in the first of Bradford's three yellow cards. The break and man advantage benefitted the home side as Ewan Taylor sucked in two defenders and produced an offload allowing Ieuan to cross for his second. (12-14) Ieuan then completed his hat-trick close to half-time as a tidy move down the short side paid off with Hegians making full use of the man advantage to take the 19-14 lead into the break.
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The second half was a tight and tense affair with both sides cancelling each other out with solid defense, but as the half got into the latter stages ill-discipline crept in and Bees received two further yellow cards. Â Â Roundhegians had to do some tough defending for long periods but eventually, green grit and spirit paid off with a typical tough carry from captain Jacob Babirecki setting the platform for the backs to go to work. Slick hands and pace putting Ryan Wilson away to cross in the corner, extending the score to 24-14. Â Hegians were again forced to do the hard yards up till the final minutes culminating in a bizarre final play as Bradford won a penalty (much to the joy of some vocal Bees fans!), where they decided to take the three and finishing the match on 24-17.
A gritty and assured performance from a changed Hegians outfit, who will take confidence in the guile they showed despite missing bodies. A Player of the Match performance from Ieuan Applebee as the Greens move on to another home game at the ‘Mem’ on Saturday against newly promoted Wheatley Hills.
