Bromsgrove 10, Hull Ionians 22

BROMSGROVE produced a spirited second half fight back but it was not enough to overhaul a solid Hull Ionians side at Finstall Park in National Two North.

While the visitors had by far the best of the first half and deservedly led at the break, they were merely a competent outfit who made less mistakes than the Boars and seemed to have more belief in their own ability.

This was proved early in the second half when Town responded strongly with 10 unanswered points giving hope of victory.

Unfortunately that hope was short-lived as they were unable to sustain the comeback and allowed the visitors back into the game.

Ionians scored their first try on 15 minutes through Alex Forth, after poor scrummaging had given them a good attacking platform. James Ferguson converted.

Five minutes later they extended the lead when Michael Bateman went over before Ferguson kicked a penalty on the stroke of half time.

A stern talking too at the interval saw a much more positive home team come out and they soon reduced the arrears when prop Peter Koziot barged over from close range. John Critchlow converted and a few minutes later added a penalty to reduce the lead to five points.

Things were looking promising as Boars kept up the pressure throughout the third quarter of the match. It was after the hour-mark when the visitors had their first meaningful attack of the half which Bromsgrove were unable to deal with, flanker Mark Wigham went over for the score which Ferguson converted.

On Saturday, Bromsgrove head to Preston Grasshoppers followed by a run of matches against other teams in the lower echelons of the league.