Delaney's men had lost four in a row before beating Bees

Nottingham director of rugby Glenn Delaney says he is looking to equal last year's Championship finish after getting back to winning ways.

The Green and Whites comprehensively beat Birmingham & Solihull Bees 46-23 at Meadow Lane on Friday to record their first victory in five matches.

Delaney told BBC Radio Nottingham: "We want to make sure we are a top half club, we feel that is where we are at.

"If we can match last year's finish [5th], it will be a great effort."

Bees, bottom of the table since 5 September, did take an early lead thanks to a penalty from Mark Woodrow and a Rob Connolly try.

However, tries from Phil Eggleshaw, Ian Kench, Don Blake and Luke Sheriff secured a bonus point before half-time.

Fifth was a good reflection on where we were as a club last year and we want to revisit that and maybe slightly improve Glenn Delaney

Will Lawson responded for the Bees, but a Ben Johnston try followed by Sheriff's second and a late Andy Savage score ensured the Green & Whites picked up five points at home for the fourth time this campaign.

Delaney added: "We're trying to make sure we're in this top eight firstly, but I think fifth was a good reflection on where we were as a club last year and we want to revisit that and maybe slightly improve things if we can."

Nottingham were seventh prior to Friday's game after losing the previous four matches, but have been as high as third earlier in the season.

And the win on Friday coupled with Rotherham's defeat at Bedford on Saturday moved them back into the top half and just two points from Doncaster in fifth.

"We would like to push towards those top four [Worcester, Bedford, Cornish Pirates and London Welsh]. They are good clubs and are playing very well," Delaney added.

"But there's a lot of rugby to play yet and we just have to keep focusing on playing well and performing."

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