Bromsgrove 22, Scunthorpe 17

JON Critchlow bagged 17 points as Bromsgrove made it three successive wins in the National Three Midlands.

The kicker’s reliable boot saw him put away five conversions and convert Phil Horton’s touch down to punish Scunthorpe’s inability to take their chances.

The game had looked in jeopardy as the Finstall Park playing surface was frozen at 10am but the game pitch thawed out and the match went ahead.

The game started well for the hosts and after three minutes of play they were awarded a penalty for offside, and the normally reliable Critchlow stepped up surprisingly missed the target.

But he soon had another chance to take aim after Sam Bastock cut through the defence and offloaded for Horton to score in the corner. This time Critchlow made certain of the extra points with a superb touchline conversion.

Scunthorpe hit back and Steve Johnson scored a penalty for the away side.

Bromsgrove’s kicker then made Scunthorpe pay for an error with a fine penalty finish.

The Boars then punished another infringement by the visitors, with Critchlow on target again.

Experienced official Nikki O’Donnell then made a crucial decision which resulted in a try for Scunthorpe’s Colin Chapman, who was guilty of a knock on when almost under the posts before eventually scoring a try to make it 13-10.

Bromsgrove piled on the pressure but were stunned when their opponents touched down for a converted try to take a 17-13 lead.

Once again, Critchlow reduced the deficit with another well taken penalty to end the first half 17-16 to Scunthorpe.

Both teams missed kicks early after the re-start but as Bromsgrove piled on the pressure another kick edged them 19-17 ahead.

But the home team enjoyed a slice of luck when Johnson squandered a penalty right in front of the posts.

The hosts saw Bobby Green sin-binned but despite being a man down, they looked in control.

With a minute left on the clock, Scunthorpe’s backs strayed offside in the centre, an offence they had been guilty of for most of the match, and Critchlow finished them off with his fifth penalty of the game.

Their next match is away at Bournville on Saturday (2.15pm ko).