BROMSGROVE Rugby Club, the North Midlands Cup holders, were given a scare by Bridgnorth when they began their title defence in Shropshire yesterday.

Bromsgrove eventually won 20-11 but they fell behind to an early try from Simon Pennington, the former Moseley and Stourbridge full-back, who went on to land two penalties.

Bromsgrove needed tries from former Stourbridge prop Steve Phillips, flanker and captain Andy Bridge, ex-Moseley and Birmingham & Solihull centre Dave Wilkin-son and winger Ben Copson, in his last game before joining the Army, to book their place in the second round.

Newport, last season's runners-up, also made jittery progress with a 16-8 win over Shrewsbury in the Shropshire derby at Forton Road where tries from Mick Trumper, their veteran former Coventry number eight, and flanker Adam Owen saw off the visitors' challenge. In the other first round matches completed, Pershore defeated Evesham 15-0 at Wyre Piddle and Malvern triumphed 32-6 at Selly Oak.

The first round of the North Midlands Shield was blighted by late cry-offs but in the matches played Solihull beat Droitwich 13-6, Five Ways OE beat Bredon Star 20-18 and Birmingham Civil Service beat Kings Norton 8-6.

It was Kings Norton second game in as many days having beaten Greyhound 11-7 in their delayed preliminary round match on Sat-urday.

Elsewhere there were walkovers for Stourbridge Lions, Worcester Wanderers, Dudley Wasps, Veseyans, Ledbury, Old Salteians and Edwardians.

A new date has yet to be agreed for the Tenbury v Old Griffinians tie.