BROMSGROVE ensured local bragging rights in the M42 derby with an impressive victory at Portway last Saturday.

A second win of the season sees the Boars part of a group of five teams separated by just a point at the top of the National League Midlands Division Three.

Birmingham and Solihull were finding life tough after their relegation last year and a lightning fast start by the Boars soon stunned them.

With less than a minute on the clock, Matt Edgar secured good lineout ball and with forwards Phil Horton and Gino Belmonte carrying well, Jon Critchlow was allowed to race down the left wing to score in the corner.

Critchlow added the extras but Bromsgrove’s 7-0 lead did not last long when the Bees piled on the pressure and bagged a converted try.

Once again the visitors hit back, with a thrilling try finished off by Ollie Bache after inventive play by Ed Spalding and Critchlow, who also added two more points.

Bromsgrove were playing the better rugby, but could not get past the Bees’ defensive line, and some poor handling cost the Boars the chance to extend their lead.

Critchlow then handed the away side a 17-7 half-time lead when he scored a 40-metre penalty, a score which in the end proved pivotal.

Solihull started the second half in the ascendancy, pinning the Boars in their own half for 20 minutes.

For all the hosts’possession they were repelled by great tackling and good tactical awareness from the Boars.

No sooner than Bromsgrove got back to full strength,

Edgar was sin-binned and again the Boars had to battle against superior numbers.

The Bees poured forward, and finally got their reward with another try for Steve Leach, converted by Scott Harman to drag Birmingham to within three points.

With time running out, the Finstall Park side nearly paid the price for deliberately passing into touch as the hosts piled on the pressure from a penalty.

Sam Bastock’s challenge then prevented a certain Bees try, which was judged to have been held up.

Bromsgrove entertain Syston on Saturday (3pm ko).

The development side also beat their Bees opponents last weekend, 43-42.