Bromsgrove 25 Derby 25

LEAKY Bromsgrove lost a 17 point lead as 14-man Derby battled back to take a share of the points in a pulsating match at Finstall Park on Saturday.

The Boars had powered into a 25-8 lead but withered under increasing pressure from Derby as Kevin Dove's brace ensured it was honours even.

This was despite Bromsgrove's opponents losing Harry Roberts for stamping on Tom Churchill's head early in the second half.

Coach Dean Ball was furious with his side for the complacency.

He said: "We didn't realise that if we relax too much teams at this level have the ability to hurt us.

"We should have won that game easily but instead we blew it."

Mark Cornelius powered in for a try, converted by fit-again fly-half Matt Birch, to confirm the home side's domination.

Birch converted two penalties and Tom Chubb replied with a try for Derby, as Bromsgrove took a 13-8 lead into half time.

Richard Arnold extended the lead, before Roberts' was sent off and Churchill was substituted.

Ben Copson then seemed to ensure Bromsgrove's double over Derby this season when he scored a try which Birch converted.

However, the loss of Churchill rattled the home side and Kevin Dove touched down from a line out.

With five minutes left Bromsgrove's mental toughness was tested as Paul Burrows scored a try which Dan Glover converted.

In the final minute Dove breached Bromsgrove again, but coach Ball was relieved to see Glover miss his conversion.

Ball said: "We could have lost on the final kick of the game, so it could have been worse.

"Tom's a very important player for us and we didn't react well to his loss.

"Rugby is a physical game, but that was a coward's tackle on Tom and it could have been a lot worse."

* Bromsgrove's cancelled match against Longton is set to be re-arranged for February 12.