A dominant first half display down the Chosen Hill slope set the Gloucestershire Warriors up for their second win of the season and took them top of the early-season Midlands Premier division table.

Turning round 24-10 ahead at the break the Warriors needed to score first in the second period to avoid a repeat of last weekend’s comeback by the Coventry Bears. They did that and, on the back of some indiscipline from the visitors, saw out the game in relative comfort.

Stephan Fourie’s distribution played a key role and it was his wide pass that put Ben Hough in for the first try after just six minutes. Brad Field started the move, making inroads in the Bulldogs defence after fielding a long kick. Danny Poulton converted to set the Warriors on their way.

Six minutes later, another counter attack bore fruit and Hough stood in the tackle to feed Poulton who sent Ben Broady in with a well-timed pass. Poulton added the extras to double the lead.

The Bulldogs hit back and a good offload sent Gareth Harcombe diving over the line for a try converted by Danny Bancroft.

However a good attacking kick from the Warriors was fumbled by the Bulldogs and Fourie scampered through for a soft try straight from the scrum. Poulton converted.

The Warriors survived a period of pressure on their own line with some solid defence and replied with a try as Field stepped through on the last tackle to score. Poulton again added the goal but the Bulldogs gave themselves a lifeline as a fine pass from Clinton Tull sent Luke Loveridge over in the corner for an unconverted try just before the break.

A heavy shower at halftime made both handling difficult and the pitch slippery and both sides struggled for a while. Six minutes into the second period Fourie’s wide pass sent Poulton haring into the corner for an unconverted try.

Things began to get a bit feisty and the Bulldogs struggled with their discipline as both sides battered each other looking for the next score. Adam Kyle was dismissed for swearing at the referee and the Warriors immediately took advantage when Ronnie Haines’ wide pass sent Danny Davis over for a try converted by Poulton.

The Bulldogs were in trouble again with the official as Ross Midgely saw yellow after he was held up over the tryline by some desperate Warriors defence.

Up against 11 men, the Warriors made the most of the space and Davis sped up the wing to register his second try converted again by Poulton. However, despite being a man short the Bulldogs kept going forward with Tull particularly threatening and it finally bore fruit when Tull’s offload provided the supporting Lee Ross with the game’s final try.

Teams: GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARRIORS: Brad Field, Danny Davis, Marcus Brown, Steve Barnes, Ben Hough, Stephan Fourie, Danny Poulton, Ken Stone, Neys Schreiner, Gareth Casey, Ronnie Haines (Capt.), James Comber, Matt Elston. Replacements: Chris Furze, Dean Barnard, Ben Broady, Richard Coleman, Ed Stallard, Arron Leese.

Scorers: Tries; Ben Hough (6), Ben Broady (13), Stephan Fourie (22), Brad Field (33), Danny Poulton (46), Danny Davis (62, 67). Conversions; Danny Poulton 6 from 7.

BIRMINGHAM BULLDOGS: Mark Court, Daniel Bancroft, Adam Smith, Clinton Tull, Luke Loveridge, Adam Kyle, Chris Woodcock, Ross Midgeley, Mark Abel, Simon Homer, Lee Ross, Neil Burns, Chris Barnforth. Replacements: Gareth Harcombe, Peter Fulthorpe, Andy Alexander, Russell Parker, Ian McGregor.

Scorers: Tries; Gareth Harcombe (17), Luke Loveridge (37), Lee Ross (70). Conversions; Danny Bancroft 1 from 3.

Referee: Patrick Wilson (London RLRS) Man of the Match: Warriors: Ken Stone, Bulldogs: Chris Barnforth Penalties: Warriors 12, Bulldogs 5.

Scoring sequence: 6-0, 12-0, 12-6, 18-6, 24-6, 24-10, (HT), 28-10, 34-10, 40-10, 40-14, (FT).