Scunthorpe 44 Bromsgrove 3

Midlands Division One

NEW-year same old story for beleaguered Bromsgrove as they suffered a six-try defeat in the Midlands Division One on Saturday.

A powerful Scunthorpe side quickly ended any hopes that 2006 would allow the Boars to draw a curtain on their losing streak at the end of 2005 and allow them to start afresh.

Even worse for Bromsgrove were victories for Kettering and Walsall made sure the bottom side is six points behind the closest clubs to them.

Director of coaching Iain Hall felt he could see the shoots of recovery growing, despite the defeat.

He said: "We conceded six tries, which isn't good but there were lots of signs of improvement.

"Our pack was very strong and stood up to Scunthorpe.

"The back line worked very hard and is showing improvement also.

"There is still a long way to go, but there are signs things are going in the right direction."

Bromsgrove's plight was not helped by the absence of first team seniors Ben Copson, Ben Eason, Alistair Hall and Nick Durnley - and they were badly missed.

Bromsgrove had no answer to Scunthorpe's Tim Robinson, who grabbed 19 points, with a try and four conversions.

The Boar's main tormentor opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a penalty.

He then converted a try by Remiti Vaimoso five minutes later.

Bromsgrove's New Zealander Kent Summerfield made it 10-3 when he scored a penalty in the 19th minute.

But the score did little to stem the Scunthorpe tide, with Robinson touching down.

A second penalty made it 18-3, before Stephen Heath-Drury scored.

Bromsgrove battled on hard, but two tries by Tom Foster, both converted by Robinson, left them in trouble before Michael Count scored late on to increase Bromsgrove's misery.

The Boars did though pile on the pressure but could not find the breakthrough they deserved.

l Bromsgrove start the North Midlands Cup on Saturday, January 14 when they take on Whitchurch at Finstall Park (2.15pm start).

Bromsgrove will have fond memories of Saturday's opponents after beating them 53-3 back in September.

Hall is hoping that Bromsgrove can repeat what is the first team's only competitive victory all season.

He said: "All it takes is one win to turn things around.

"One result makes all the difference so I'm hoping we can get it against Whitchurch. It could be an important result for the season."

Eason, Copson, Hall and Durnley are all expected to be fit and available by the coach for Saturday's clash.