Bromsgrove 13 Dunstablians 45

Midlands Division One

BROMSGROVE RFC showed glimpses of the form they will need to escape the relegation zone before fading in a hard fought match at Finstall Park on Saturday. IN THE THICK OF IT: A Bromsgrove player wades through Dunstablians' defence.

The Boars had been matching Dunstable in the game's early stages, but Alex Fellow's sin-binning and a penalty try just before half time changed its complexion.

Bromsgrove, bottom of the Midlands Division One and winless, allowed Dunstable to take control of the game.

Head coach Ian Hall said: "The players are lacking self belief at the moment.

"We're all working very hard to improve the players' confidence.

"I believe we have as good as team as any in the division. Our backs are a match for anyone.

"It was a close game and there were two decisions which changed the game.

"I'm not blaming the referee because we should have made sure we weren't in a position to let them happen, but they didn't help."

Hall had been hoping to build on a positive performance in last week's defeat to Bedford.

Alex Fellows made his debut alongside James Spencer in the front row and Lee Kent came in the second row in a relatively new look Bromsgrove side. Bromsgrove were missing Ali Hall because of injury.

The home side though endured a difficult start when the visitors opened the scoring.

Dunstable won a lineout and their inside centre powered through a gap in Bromsgrove's defence to a score a try.

Bromsgrove hit back with gusto when Andy Bridge drove forward. He passed to New Zealander Kent Summerfield, who dropped the ball.

Winger Franky Hale pounced on the loose ball and touched down to level the scores.

Ben Copson then edged Bromsgrove ahead when he converted a penalty.

The game descended into a scrap with neither side able to take control. But low on confidence Bromsgrove were stunned when Dunstablian's number 12 touched down to make it 14-10.

A close game was changed by two incidents. Fellows was sin-binned and Dunstablians were awarded a penalty try to make sure Bromsgrove went into the second half trailing 24-10.

Undeterred Bromsgrove battled on and Copson pulled back a penalty, but the revival was short lived as Dunstable ran in three more tries.

Bromsgrove will be hoping to spring a shock on Division One leaders Rugby Lions on Saturday.

Hall said: "We'll keep on fighting and playing in every game we play."