Preston Grasshoppers 32 Bromsgrove 19

BROMSGROVE had only pride to show for a spirited performance at Preston Grasshoppers in National Two North.

The Boars were forced into five back-row changes in the back row before the game in which the hosts were just too strong.

The Hoppers applied all the early pressure and set-up camp in the Bromsgrove 22.

The Boars held out for 15 minutes before conceding a penalty which Graham Holroyd converted.

Shortly after, Preston increased their lead as full-back Sean Taylor eluded a number of tackles before feeding Connor Murphy to touch down.

But instead of letting their heads drop Bromsgrove fought back and reduced the arrears when returning scrum-half Aaron Higgins ran in a fine solo try. Jon Critchlow added the conversion to make it 10-7.

Bromsgrove were winning the territorial battle but they could not turn that advantage into points.

The Lancashire hosts managed to stretch their lead before the interval to 13-7 as Holroyd kicked his second penalty of the game.

Hoppers introduced former rugby league legend Sean Long at the start of the second-half but it was the Boars who began the period the better.

However, they were unable to break down the home defence and Preston started to assert themselves, scoring an excellent try through Taylor.

Things got even worse for the visitors as Murphy went over again to effectively seal the game for the Hoppers.

But the Boars refused to go down without a fight and scored two more tries of their own.

First, Drew Harper went over following a driving maul and after Rich Morton had scored again for Hoppers, Higgins grabbed his second of the game late on.

Bromsgrove will look to continue their excellent home form when they host Stockport on Saturday.