BROMSGROVE RFC First XV coach David Stout is calling for a marked improvement from his side ahead of their crunch game with Luctonians at Finstall Park this Saturday.

Bromsgrove's 36-15 defeat at Midlands One league leaders Longton last Saturday was their fourth in seven league games this season.

And Stout believes the visit of old adversaries Luctonians, from Hereford, is the perfect opportunity to start turning things around.

Playing Luctonians is a match the club has looked forward to down the generations and Saturday will be no different.

Stout said: "We have now got a challenge ahead of us. We have got to break the losing streak.

"There's a lot of history to this game and we want to beat them.

"The players have got to start standing up to be counted."

Stout is only too aware his injury-ravaged side can play better, especially when back to full strength, and he said it was important not to lose sight of that fact despite the defeat at Longton being typical of his side's plight.

Bromsgrove held Longton for long periods before their weakened side eventually succumbing by 21 points.

The team is still missing the likes of Ben Eason, Adrian Parsons, Ian Young and Steve Phillips through injury and it could be five weeks before all of them are fit again.

But it is a problem they have had to put up with for most of the season so far and Stout does not want to use that as an excuse for poor performances.

The First XV have been drawn at Northampton Old Scouts in round four of the Powergen Intermediate Cup.

The tie is scheduled for Saturday, November 30.