Press Box: The Times

Last updated : 20 March 2006 By Peter Lansley

Their coterie of talented young England hopefuls did themselves proud. Jermaine Jenas exuded athleticism and class in equal measure.

But the pressure was on and Birmingham knew how to come out of the trenches with all guns blazing. Any soft underbelly looked likely to get a good tickling as the home side fought the good fight for an hour.