BROMSGROVE RFC First XV were brought down to earth with a bump last Saturday as Burton dumped them out of the Powergen Intermediate Cup.

Bromsgrove, 44-12 victors against Malvern last week, led 12-0 at half time but let the unbeaten Midland Three West (North) leaders in after the break to lose 22-18.

And coach Dean Ball was quick to let his players know his feelings by calling them into a huddle as soon as the final whistle sounded.

"Before the game I warned them it would not be easy and the frame of mind they were in the writing was on the wall really," Ball said. "I didn't like to say it but I said 'I told you so'.

"The players said at half time 'we think we are bullet proof' and in the end we were not even Burton proof.

"We gave them all the hope they needed and once they got in front our heads dropped and without the experienced players it showed."

Not even playing the match in red shirts, due to a kit clash, could change Bromsgrove's luck. Ball added: "We will learn from it, it's not a league game although we do realise the importance financially. Although they are flying high we have got to be expected to beat them."

Both sides were short of several key players and Bromsgrove's game rarely appeared more than lacklustre.

Town though started well and Richard Stockholm was unfortunate when he went into touch just short of the line. James Lloyd-Jones missed a penalty moments later.

Bromsgrove's first score came when Richard Newman put in Carl Bradley for an unconverted try.

After a missed penalty kick by Burton, the hosts passed the ball swiftly to Stockholm and his pace took him outside Burton's winger and he stepped inside the full back to score a classic winger's try. Lloyd-Jones converted for 12-0.

Ball's side even led 15-5, following a Burton try and Lloyd-Jones penalty, before the wheels came off.

Burton collected the ball and with a succession of quick passes, went over in the corner. This was followed by another try, again unconverted.

Bromsgrove briefly regained the lead at 18-15 with another Lloyd-Jones penalty until the visitors grabbed their fourth try and this time successfully converted.

Elsewhere, Bromsgrove Seconds lost 38-7 at Camp Hill while the Fourths failed to score in a 32-0 defeat at Luctonians.