Melbourne RFC 12-Bromsgrove RFC 26

BROMSGROVE remain locked at the top of Midland League Division One West with rivals Burton after bagging a 26-12 bonus point success at Derbyshire side Melbourne.

But head coach Dan Protherough played down his side's performance, especially in the first half.

He said: "We didn't start well and were slow getting off the bus.

"There was a howling gale blowing down the pitch which we had at our backs in the first half. But we didn't play well during this period, even though we led 21-7 at the break.

"We were much better in the second when playing into the wind and we should have gone onto score another couple of tries, but on both occasions we got taken out in the corner.

"It's something we need to look because it's not the first time we've started slowly when going away from home and I might have to start looking at the way we warm up for away games as we're not getting into our stride quickly enough.

"When you're sitting on top of the table you suddenly become everyone's cup final, especially when we go on the longer trips, they're the one's where you can slip up.

"We must expect teams to come at us hard for the opening 20 minutes and be able to deal with it."

"Although we are top of the table, there are still areas where we need to do better and we keep striving to improve."

Right wing Ollie Bache opened Bromsgrove's try-scoring account at Melbourne with full back Chris Hooper and left wing Josh Holt also breaching Melbourne's defence before half time while fly half James Upton converted all three tries.

The impressive Bache then bagged Bromsgrove's fourth and bonus point try in the second half which went unconverted.

Bromsgrove entertain fifth placed Moseley Oak this Saturday at Finstall Park (3pm) which heralds the start of a string of tough fixtures.

Moseley Oak could well be reinforced by some players from Birmingham Moseley and Protherough believes Bromsgrove will need to be at their best.

He added: "We've not been getting the crowds you would expect for a side sitting on top of the table.

"The supporters really can make a difference when they get behind the side and we could really do with a few more this Saturday."