Bromsgrove 33 Burton 7
National Three Midlands
BROMSGROVE moved within just two points of a promotion play-off place after seeing off struggling Burton at Finstall Park last Saturday.
The visitors did not make it easy for Dan Protherough’s men in the first period as they bounced back from Chris Morgan’s early try to level the game at half-time.
But Bromsgrove, who were on a run of five successive victories, upped the ante after the break as Morgan went over before the hosts pulled clear.
Dave Lewis also bagged a brace, while a late penalty try, which Jon Critchlow converted, wrapped up the win which moved them up to fourth – level of points with Nuneaton who surrendered second spot to Peterborough Lions.
With South Leicester facing fifth placed Hinckley and Nuns going up against Peterbourgh, Bromsgrove knew they had a strong chance of climbing the table if they defeated second bottom Burton.
And they got off to the perfect start as the home side pounced on a wayward lineout to score, with Morgan powering over from a driving maul. Critchlow converted.
Despite the early mistake, Burton, who notched up their first win of the season last week, proved to be no push overs as they produced some tenacious defending to keep Bromsgrove at bay.
They also gradually began to work their way back into the game taking advantage of the strong wind to establish some good attacking positions.
The pressure eventually told as Jono Parkinson went over near the posts. Wing Dewi Williams added the extras.
The half finished on equal terms, but the wind was always destined to have a strong influence on the final results and so it proved.
Bromsgrove started the second half in a positive fashion and it did not take them long before they moved ahead as Morgan was driven over, which Critchlow converted.
The lead was soon extended when Lewis crossed in the corner, with Critchlow, whose goal kicking has been a revelation in recent weeks, dispatching the conversion from the touchline to make it 21-7.
With Bromsgrove looking to impress, they then pulled off the try of the match. A fine pass from scrum half put Lewis away before the wing chipped ahead and outstripped the cover to collect his own kick and touchdown in the corner/
Burton continued to plug away, but with no reward as Bromsgrove hung on before scoring their fifth try of the afternoon. This time, powerful work from the home forwards led to a penalty try as Critchlow completed the scoring.
