Rugby Union
Bromsgrove suffer narrow defeat

BROMSGROVE were left wondering 'what might have been' on Saturday as they made the long journey home from Westoe with a 24-21 National Two defeat to their names.

The visitors, who entertain Harrogate tomorrow (2.15pm), were arguable the better side but failure to convert possession and territory into points proved costly.

Westoe were also gifted two tries, one of which they converted, and a penalty which gave them 15 points to add to a 15th minute penalty as they went in 18-6 ahead.

The sides were level until the 25th minute with a penalty each and the situation looked promising for Bromsgrove at this point, playing up the slope and into a strong wind.

A decisive moment arrived in the 25th minute though when the hosts snatched an opportunity with both hands when number eight Stedman intercepted a Lee Ward pass and he was left unopposed to run in from 20m.

Bromsgrove did not let that faze them though and good pressure ten minutes later resulted in second row Luke Johnstone seeing yellow for the home side, Ben Copson kicked the resultant penalty.

Most of the first half was played in Westoe territory but even with a man advantage Bromsgrove could not breach Westoe's defence.

On one break the ball was safely gathered in the Bromsgrove in-goal and in the 22 drop out was wasted when the visitors were deemed off-side.

Simon O’Farrell kicked a penalty to make it 11-6 but the away faithful remained positive as half time approached, thinking they would carry just a five point deficit into the second half when the conditions would be in their favour.

That was until another handling error gave Westoe another simple run in for a converted try and a 12-point lead.

Bromsgrove now needed a strong start to the second half and they got it when James Curgenven steamed through three tackles to close the gap to 18-11 two minutes in.

Bidding to repair the damage of the first half, Bromsgrove had all of the play in the second but were unable to convert some excellent possession and territory despite having a man advantage for close to 20 minutes following a second yellow card for the hosts.

It was then Bromsgrove's turn to lose a man to the bin when Kevin Salisbury was shown the yellow card and the subsequent penalty sailed through the uprights to make it 21-11.

Curgenven responded with a penalty of his own before he crossed to cut the gap to two.

The conversion levelled the scores but Westoe forced one more penalty which put them three points clear.

Penalties were coming thick and fast and Bromsgrove got themselves within kicking distance when awarded another but a combination of the wind and the post denied Curgenven as the visitors' last chance went begging.