Baxter: Errors cost us (From Droitwich Advertiser)

Baxter: Errors cost us

5:47pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Sport

Hull Ionians 43, Bromsgrove 0

HEAD coach Ross Baxter lamented his side’s failure to do the basics as they were steam-rollered by title-challenging Hull Ionians.

Bromsgrove’s hopes of repeating their fine win over leaders Stourbridge in Yorkshire was blown away as a four-try opening burst stunned the away side.

The Boars fielded a side with eight changes from the win over Sheffield Tigers two weeks ago because of injuries and player unavailability.

“We don’t have player on contracts like Hull Ionians so it is hard to ask them to play.

“Because of injuries and travelling, which put off several players, we had to make eight changes and it affected the team.

“Before the game we spoke about the importance of set-pieces and staying in the match but we did not employ any of our tactics.

“Our line-out was terrible, we barely got any of the ball and when we did we gave it away.

“We were unable to build up any pressure of Hull and all around it was a poor display.

“We made some changes in the second half and the team improved but the game was over.”

To soothe their lengthy list of injury players, Bromsgrove have bolstered their ranks with four new players.

Forward Nigel Burrows has returned to the club on a month’s loan from Birmingham outfit Moseley.

The attacker was a key individual in the Boars’ rise and to the National Two North and their mid-table place last season but he has struggled to nail down a regular starting spot since his move to Moseley in the summer.

Worcester academy prop Ryan Furniss, former England under-18s player Hugh Lockhart and ex-Warriors starlet Tom Hardwicke have also bolstered the squad.

They could all play a part in Bromsgrove’s home clash against fourth-placed Preston Grasshoppers on Saturday (3pm ko).

Baxter is expecting a response from his troops at home after the weekend’s chastening defeat.

He said: “Preston is our last chance to take a top-five scalp this season.

“We’ve beaten Stourbridge but this is our last opportunity to go out with a bang.”