Rugby Union
Bonus points are gained in defeat

Sheffield Tigers 42 Bromsgrove 41

National Two North

BROMSGROVE returned from Sheffield with two bonus points on Saturday but will have been disappointed not to record a first victory at the venue having come so close in a thrilling battle.

The visitors made a number of changes and made an encouraging start as within two minutes Sam Gibbons scored from a driving maul following a line-out in the hosts’ twenty-two.

Critchlow added the conversion and followed it over with a penalty shortly afterwards but the lead was to prove short-lived.

Sheffield gradually edged their way back into the game, largely as a result of unforced errors, wrong options and yet again a poorly functioning Bromsgrove line-out.

Tries from full back Swadkins and dangerous centre Broadley (2), together with three conversions and a penalty from fly half Outram saw Sheffield lead 24-13 at the break with Critchlow having sent over another penalty for the visitors.

The events of the first half paled into insignificance two minutes into the second half when Bromsgrove captain Tom Warren suffered what appeared to be a serious neck injury.

The game was suspended for almost an hour whilst waiting for an ambulance but thankfully, it was later discovered that the injury was not as serious as first feared and he will soon be on the road to recovery.

But as the game continued Bromsgrove’s players were not to that so the character and fight they showed to get back into the game was all the more remarkable.

A try from Kevin Salisbury, again from a driving maul, was converted by Critchlow to make it 24-20 but Sheffield responded with a try in the corner from winger Alex Graham, magnificently converted by Outram.

The thrilling nature of the game continued as James Lloyd Jones scored an excellent converted try under the posts but back came Sheffield as Swadkins crossed and Outram sent over a penalty to make it 39-27.

Bromsgrove were still battling hard and Critchlow converted George Glenn’s try but they conceded another three points to a penalty as Sheffield kept them at arm’s length.

Warren Oliver’s converted try cut the gap to a point but time was against the visitors and Sheffield held on to secure a dramatic victory.

Bromsgrove entertain Hull Ionians on Saturday.

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