Broadstreet 21 Bromsgrove 20

Midlands Division One

THE DANGER of relegation still lingers over Finstall Park after Bromsgrove failed to perform at Broadstreet on Saturday.

Coach Dean Ball blasted his players for their lacklustre display that still leaves them in danger of falling into the bottom three and relegation to the West Midlands Division Two.

Defeat means that with two games of the season left the Boars can still be caught by third from bottom Derby.

Ball said: "I was very, very angry with the players because I thought very few of them actually performed to their best.

"We thought we could turn up and win, but credit to Broadstreet they out-bullied and out-fought us."

Bromsgrove went into the game brimming with confidence after their 53-7 win over Droitwich in the North Midlands Cup two weeks ago.

However, they were caught out from the start after a loose Bromsgrove pass allowed Broadstreet to score a try under the posts, which was then converted.

Fly-half Matt Birch pegged the lead back with a penalty.

Captain Dave Wilkinson then edged his side ahead when he touched down.

Bromsgrove's advantage was short lived as Chris Brown nudged Broadstreet back in front with a penalty.

Birch replied in the 20th minute but his opposite number increased Broadstreet's lead.

Bromsgrove's kicker once again kept his side in the hunt for victory with another penalty.

Bromsgrove were rocked when Ben Shepherd touched down to make it 18-14.

Richard Arnold did his best to put Bromsgrove back in the lead, but his try just before half time was disallowed because he touched the corner flag.

The Boars never recovered from the setback and the home side took advantage.

Brown added another penalty to make it 21-14.

Despite Birch pulling back six points with two more penalties Bromsgrove could not break down a solid Broadstreet side.

Ball said: "The performance was simply not good enough.

"We've played quite well all season but this performance ruins a lot of our good work."