Bromsgrove 5, Macclesfield 43

RELEGATION-battling Bromsgrove put in another brave performance against high-flying Macclesfield but once again were outgunned as they suffered an eighth straight defeat.

The Boars are starting to become stranded in the bottom three and are now nine points away from safety.

The Finstall Park-based outfit defended heroically despite conceding seven tries but failed to test second-placed Macclesfield’s defence.

Town are missing their main strike runners, who are still on the injured list, and they are desperately needed if they are to have a chance of pulling back the points deficit between themselves and the sides immediately above them – Sheffield and Hull, both of whom picked up points at the weekend.

The visitors scored four tries in the first half, with a brace for winger Eddie Stobart, and one each for opposite winger Matthew King and hooker Sam Moss.

Bromsgrove did create chances in the half but only managed one opportunist try for Craig Mortelmans who followed up Aaron Higggins fly hack to score.

Mortelmans and fellow centre Sam Bastock battled hard to stem the tide, which they often did. Up front Dave Hughes and Tom Hardwick led the resistance, never giving up against the big well-drilled visiting pack.

The second half only saw three tries scored despite relentless pressure from the visitors but Bromsgrove barely got out of their own half.

King grabbed his second, Ryan Parkinson bagged one,with substitute Jonathon Kemp getting the last one.

Bromsgrove will be hoping for a much-needed home win against Harrogate on Saturday (2.15pm ko).