Bromsgrove 8, Lichfield 22

LACKLUSTRE Bromsgrove were shot down four tries to one by an accomplished Lichfield side.

The Boars recent poor form continued as they slipped to a third straight loss in the National Midlands Division Three.

Worriyngly, they have now lost five of the last seven and slid from second to seventh in the table.

Lichfield won the match by doing the simple things correctly, retaining their own ball in contact, moving the ball swiftly through the hand and giving more support to their team members.

The visitors started the stronger with Bromsgrove giving away early penalties to hand over the initiative.

It was only 10 minutes into the match when Bromsgrove lost their own line out and simple handling gave Lichfield an overlap for winger Gregg Massey to score in the corner.

Town tried to respond but poor ball retention cost them dear again when a promising attack faltered and a Lichfield counter saw them move play to the other end of the park and eventually force over for a try.

Ed Spalding bagged a try after good work by Craig Mortelmans and Sam Bastock.

For the rest of the half, Bromsgrove had plenty of possession but went into the break trailing 10-0.

The hosts started the second period well and a penalty from James Upton dragged them within two points of Lichfield.

But Lichfield managed the next score, again through simple passing putting Josh Massey over in the corner.

The visitors bagged their bonus point try when Gregg Massey scored his second try, which brother Josh converted.

The last 15 minutes of the match were closed out comfortably by Lichfield and although Bromsgrove tried hard, they did not appear to have the ideas to break down a solid visitors’ defence.

This week, Bromsgrove visit struggling Longton.