BROMSGROVE head coach Dan Protherough has told his players they must toughen up on their tackling in the wake of their 52-38 defeat at Weston Super Mare side Hornets.

The defeat still leaves Bromsgrove looking for their first win in National League 3 South West this season and Protherough insisted: " It was a game we should have won but our overall tackling was not up to standard.

"Hornets had a number of one-on-one's where we didn't stop them. We gave them too much time and space, which they exploited.

"We must be tougher and physically harder. The truth is, we allowed Hornets to break through too many tackles.

"On the plus side we scored 38 points and looked much more dangerous with the ball in hand.

"Against Dings Crusaders the previous week, we didn't score a single try. This time we scored six - but we conceded eight and that wasn't in the plan."

Bromsgrove entertain Devon side Ivybridge this Saturday and Protherough is confident that several players will be back available.

Jack Pons, Jon Critchlow, Chris McGregor, Tom Hardwick and Richard Mahoney all come back into contention.