BROMSGROVE RFC First XV aim to start 2003 well as they travel to Leicester Lions this Saturday as they attempt to put their Powergen Intermediate Cup drubbing behind them.

David Stout's side, who have only won three Midlands One games this season, crashed out of the Powergen Intermediate Cup with a fifth round 34-3 defeat at Horden Miners' Welfare.

Stout said: "We should not have been troubled by Horden let alone get heavily beaten.

"I told the players to use Christmas as a watershed. We have to look to improve our attitude, our performances and get our key players back to turn our season around and Leicester Lions is the first opportunity to do that.

"I am confident most of our players will be back by the end of January."

Horden, from County Durham, scored 28 points without reply in the first half in good conditions on Saturday, December 21.

Two tries came from half back defensive errors and two more resulted when Bromsgrove forwards were driven back over the line.

Andrew Turner got Horden's first try and added four penalties, including one from 24 metres, for his 19-point tally.

The visitors started and finished the second half well but conceded two more penalties. Fly half Ben Copson made no mistake with his only penalty chance for Bromsgrove's three points.