BROMSGROVE’S impressive rise up the National Midlands Three table comes as no surprise to head coach Dan Protherough.

The Boars have moved to their highest position in the league this season, second place, after defeating lowly Dudley Kingswinford 42-5.

It was the Finstall Park outfit’s seventh straight win and they have not tasted defeat since being edged out by Old Halesonians on November 15.

With leaders South Leicester boasting an almost unassailable 18-point lead over Bromsgrove, winning the title is unlikely, but they are definitely in the shake-up for the end of season play-offs.

But for all their success, Protherough is keeping his feet on the ground.

He said: “I didn’t think we were at our best, to be honest, against Dudley.

“The most pleasing thing was the way we have defended over the last few weeks.

“In the last four games we have let in just one in each one, so we’re a lot tighter.

“We’ve been lucky to play the four teams at the bottom but we have a much tougher run of games coming up.

“Hinckley have improved a lot since we beat them so a good start is vital.”

Sam Montieri is set for two weeks on the sidelines with a ankle problem and Bromsgrove’s next game in the league is at home to Hinckley on Saturday, January 31.

Against relegation stricken Dudley, Bromsgrove powered into a 14-0 lead by half-time thanks to tries for Jon Critchlow and Ollow Bache. Critchlow converted both efforts.

With DK reduced to 13 men, the Boars pushed their advantage with Phil Horton touching down early in the second half.

Tom Hunt then left several defenders in his wake to score a great solo try.

Dave Lewis wrapped up a bonus points win when he took advantage of a tiring home defence to score two excellent tries.