Whitchurch 22

Bromsgrove 26

Midlands Division One

INJURY stricken Bromsgrove RFC sealed their place in the Midlands Division One for next season with a hard fought victory in Shropshire.

Despite an injury crisis, which forced director of coaching Dean Ball to return to the forward line after an 18 month absence, Bromsgrove did enough to survive their first season back in the division.

Ball was delighted that his side had avoided relegation.

He said: "It took longer than I wanted but we are safe.

"It's an excellent achievement and one we need to improve on next season."

Bromsgrove went into Saturday's crunch game with half the first team out of action.

Mike Lammas, Richard Arnold, John Taylor, Danny Malin and Nick Copson were all unavailable because of a mix of injuries and holidays.

With so many experienced and key players out it was down to fly-half Matt Birch to lead his team.

Birch was his usual reliable self with the boot and kept his side in front with four penalties.

Tries for Dave Clarke and Nick Wright, both converted by Birch, also made sure Bromsgrove won this crucial game.

Ball said: "We were down to the bare bones because of injuries and other factors, but I didn't want to call the game off.

"The last thing we needed was our season disturbed again."

Ball is hoping that several of the players who missed Saturday's game will be available for this weekend's North Midlands Cup semi-final at Whitchurch.

The rules of the cup state a side needs to have six forwards to call on in the squad. However, Ball is keeping his fingers crossed that Lammas, Arnold, Taylor and Malin will be able to play at Whitchurch on Saturday.

He said: "I'm hoping we have some of those missing players back.

"I managed to come through the game unscathed but I'd rather be playing regular first teamers."

Ball is hoping that with Bromsgrove's Division One status secured they can end their season by winning the North Midlands Cup.

He said: "We have achieved our main aim but the cup is still an important competition."