AS a policeman, Harry Jeffrey is used to dealing with difficult situations.

And that was even more true when he starred in Channel 5 programme Police Interceptors, which was filmed in and around Bradford before Covid-19.

But probably his most testing challenge is trying to guide Bradford & Bingley to their first win since before the pandemic struck.

The Bees, beaten 62-8 at home by Morley in Regional Two North East on Saturday, have now lost their last 41 league matches since – ironically – defeating Morley 47-24 at Wagon Lane in February 2020.

There was never a chance of a repeat performance in a rare outing on the second XV pitch at Aire View – the first XV pitch was flooded near the changing rooms – not even when Morley had a man sent off in the second half.

Although the Bees’ pack – with skipper Jeffrey and fellow second row Joe Daley, who was their man of the match, adding some beef – coped manfully, the home backs were too lightweight and struggled to cross the gain-line.

Despite all this, Bradford & Bingley skipper Jeffrey, now one of the old guard at 29, is optimistic.

The lock, who made his Bees debut aged 17 but eventually had to put his rugby on hold in his mid-twenties due to work, realised last year that he could not stand by and watch his club suffer.

He said: “I came back towards the end of last season as I knew the boys were struggling and I could not see the club go that way, so I was an extra body and it was all hands to the pump.

“I then had a full pre-season and was made captain at the start of the season.

“I have had a good run and have also got into the police squad.”

Jeffrey added: “It is a difficult, but important time for the club, and people have either come back or stuck with it.

“It is the friendships, the camaraderie and memories that are important, but a lot of our squad are local players that have grown up together and we just need to keep building on it and add to it.

“That first win is coming. We just need to put it all together. That is our aim this season – to win a couple of games.

“Our strength is in the pack, where we have some big lads, but our backs are a bit lightweight.

“We will add to that next season. We have some great young players, and they will grow into it, they will get used to it and fill out and we are not too far away.”

As for Police Interceptors, Jeffrey said: “It was pre-Covid, and it was an interesting experience and there is a bit of pressure with the camera on you all the time, but a lot of it ended up on the cutting-room floor.

“I got some stick from the lads, both on social media and face to face, about how long I spent with the make-up artists but I can quash that rumour straight away.”

Morley, who climbed a place to sixth, bagged tries through man-of-the-match Micky Ryan (4), Theo Tyrer (3), who works at Bradford Royal Infirmary, Ed Kelly, Dale Brereton and Noah Hawkins, who added six conversions.

Former Bees player Simon Mitchell was dismissed in the 55th minute for a high tackle on Sam Bryan.

Bradford & Bingley’s points came from an early penalty by fly-half Dom Walker and a try just before half-time by Robbie Spencer.