BROMSGROVE 14 BURTON 41

Midlands One

BROMSGROVE suffered the worst possible start to the Midlands Division One as they were overran by rampant Burton at Finstall Park on Saturday.

A Boars side that lacked any punch in the forward line was no match for their newly promoted rivals.

Coach Dean Ball kept faith with the side that thrashed Whitchurch 51-3 last week, with Matt Halstead making his league debut as kicker for the Boars.

But he was given little chance to shine with the boot as the Boars were forced back from the start by a dominant Burton forward line.

John Philiskirk opened the scoring in the eighth minute for the visitors when he sped past Franky Hale on the right wing for a well taken try in the corner, which was converted by Tom Bartram.

Bromsgrove were finding it difficult to hold onto possession as Burton dominated lineouts.

From one Bromsgrove were breached again in the 18th minute when a Burton maul pushed over for a second try to make it 12-0.

Halstead missed a chance to reduce the score when he sent a 22nd minute penalty wide.

Slowly the home side began to find away back into the game, but John Scragg took was pushed over for Burton's third try, which Bartram converted.

Hale had Bromsgrove best chance of a try in the dying minutes of the first half, which was 48 minutes long, when he broke down the right wing.

However, Burton's watertight defence smothered him as he approached the try line.

A Bartram penalty and a try by Steve Edwards at the start of the second half, left Bromsgrove trailing 27-0.

Richard Stockholm though gave his side a life line in the 52nd minute when an astute pass set up Halstead for a vital try, which Ian Bailey coolly converted.

But Bromsgrove's hope was short-lived when Nick Thurman and Bartram touched down to make it 41-7.

Stockholm worked hard to find and opening and he set up Dave Wilkinson, converted by Bailey, late on.