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LIFT OFF: Back row forward Nick Wright demonstrates Bromsgrove's dominanace in the line-out on Saturday. Ref: MF00096

Bromsgrove 20
Malvern 0
Midlands Division Two West

ROSS Baxter revealed that video footage of a previous defeat by Malvern helped his side topple the promotion chasers.

And no doubt the Bromsgrove head coach would love to see a re-run of Saturday's success, to savour the demolition job over the Midlands Two (West) high-flyers.

The Boars sent out a message to their rivals, demonstrating exemplary ball skills and dominant forwards play which simply steam-rollered the visitors.

Their back-to-basics possession-based rugby paid dividends in the blustery and sodden conditions.

Above all the display of tactical and mental strength has left Bromsgrove's league status very much in their own hands.

Baxter said: "The last time we played Malvern here in the cup game, we videoed it and what was obvious was that they had 80 per cent of the ball.

"Still the game was tight, so we knew if we controlled and held onto the ball for longer we were always going to score points and we were going to deny them.

"Our main focus today (Saturday) was to hold onto the ball and that is what we did."

While the home side's pack provided the platform for a potentially season defining performance, fly-half Duncan Roke deservedly continues to take many of the plaudits.

Roke produced another talismanic display, helping himself to 15 of the Boars' points including two tries.

Not only is the former Worcester Warriors and Cornish Pirates man a dab hand in keeping his three-quarter line in tow, he possesses both the burst of speed and the cutting edge to make crucial incisions into the heart of opponents.

It took him just 11 minutes to round off an excellent Bromsgrove move which started on Malvern's 10-metre line.

The Boars' forwards stepped up the pressure, securing ball in short sharp bursts, and at the third phase wing Lee Wainwright was released.

He side-stepped two tackles before handing to Roke, who made a dash to score near the posts, before adding the conversion.

Bromsgrove had their opponents rattled and Malvern were penalised for holding on, allowing Roke to slot another three points from a penalty.

With the Boars playing with the wind in the second-half, the visitors had no answer to their bigger ball carriers.

More relentless forwards pressure moved them to within five metres of the Malvern line, and Roke ploughed through a gap to score his second try.

The conversion was sliced wide, but there was to be not let up from the Boars.

They were handed a penalty deep inside their opponents' half, which Roke opted to kick for touch.

It proved the right decision, as in the final minute a catch and drive allowed Bromsgrove's pivotal ball carrying weapon, number eight Nigel Burrows, to power over and add the final points.

But while the pack executed their game plan perfectly, it was Roke whose performance will be remembered fondly, should Bromsgrove complete their survival task.

And Baxter couldn't hide his delight at the fly-half's "invaluable" finishing.

He added: "He's been a really important acquisition for us and he brings all of his National League experience to the team.

"He gives the team massive confidence and his talk is really important for us as well as his game.

"He has got that finishing edge because he was a big finisher in the National League.

"He's scoring loads of points for us at the moment, which are invaluable."

BROMSGROVE: Blackburn, Merrit, Salisbury, Wright, Foster, Arnold, Morgan, Burrows, Ward, Roke, Lofthouse, Quinn, Ingram, Wainwright, Stockholm. Replacements: Baker, Harper, Copson.

MALVERN: Palmer, Greenwood, Lancett, Tisdale, Barnwell, Hill, Clark, Rawle, Edmund, Crook, Henshaw, Fleming, Watkins, Gwynne, Hooper. Replacements: Cooper, Dixon, Hobbs.

9:17am Wednesday 2nd April 2008

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