Strat's the way to do it, Bromsgrove

Midlands Two West

BROMSGROVE Rugby Club's first team continued their winning ways at third placed Stratford with a convincing five-try margin.

The victory -- their fifth league win in a row -- was reward for a good all-round team effort which consolidates their position at the top of the table.

The first teams had not met for many years, Stratford having been promoted to Midlands Two West this season.

With good support, including many who played for Stratford in their halcyon days years ago, the home side started in a rush as Bromsgrove defended some good attacking moves.

Hooker Jim Stanley suffered an eye injury early on and was replaced, while place kicker Peter Jones missed a fairly easy penalty goal.

In the 20th minute Bromsgrove won their own line out and second row Jon Taylor made an effective break with fly-half Matt Birch in support. He passed on to right winger Lee Wainwright who ran outside the stretched defence for the first score, converted by Birch.

The restart kick was too short, giving the town pack, led by prop Steve Phillips, the scrum. Already Bromsgrove sensed the home side's spirits were beginning to sag, and the Bromsgrove backs, with marauding support from flankers Dave Clark and Matt Gadd, became more adventurous.

Full back Ian Bailey caught a high kick and immediately attacked.

But a subsequent pass was judged to be forward with the try line in sight and the defence exposed.

From a good forwards' drive, centre David Wilkinson broke clear of tackles for a converted try. The restart kick was again short and, despite winning the scrum, the ball went loose.

A kick on was chased by many players, but Stratford centre Bob Turner just got his hand to the ball first and scored a converted try to give his side something to cheer.

Jones missed another penalty but Birch kicked well from 35 metres to give his side a ten-point interval lead.

Bromsgrove's forwards continued to dominate with excellent line out work giving scrum half and captain for the day Colin Morley options which were eagerly exploited by Birch and the back line. Following some good movement, Wilkinson kicked a loose ball ahead, collected well and beat three men for an unconverted try.

Shortly after, Stratford, defending desperately, were offside and conceded a penalty in front of their posts which Birch converted.

Relentless pressure

Stratford replaced Jones with Steve Paxton and, following a good home side break, normal service was resumed with relentless Bromsgrove pressure.

Pressing hard, Clark caught an attempted touch kick and ran on under the posts for a converted try.

Will Horton had a long run down the left wing to finish an attack from deep in town's half and his legs made the necessary distance for an easier conversion.

With the end in sight, coach David Stout brought on Rob Marshall in the centre and flanker Dermot O'Rourke for a run out just before Stratford number eight Tony Pritchard made a fine solo run with the bonus of a home line out near the five metre line.

Tom Churchill won the Stratford ball that was quickly recycled by prop Mark Cornelius and Marshall cleared the danger before a home player's hand knocked the ball on.

Bromsgrove won the scrum and the defence was committed man for man down the left.

Wainwright, running from the right, accepted a well timed pass from Wilkinson for the final unconverted try in the corner to enhance the points tally.

Results, Second XV: no fixture to replace cancelled Stratford game.

Third XV: Stourbridge 45 Bromsgrove 17.

Fourth XV: Bromsgrove 19 Stratford 0. Crusaders: Bromsgrove 30 Redditch Seconds 20.