BOARS director of rugby Dan Protherough says a disciplined performance is required on Saturday (2.15pm) when his side go into their first home fixture of the calendar year against Bournville.
An 18-12 loss away to Sheffield was how Bromsgrove started their New Year, with tries from Sam Bastock and Ed Spalding – one of which was converted by Will Harris – not enough to guide the visitors to a ninth win of the Midlands Premier season.
Protherough says he takes little solace from earning a losing bonus point at Abbeydale Park, and re-iterated his desire to always aim for a maximum return from every game.
“I’m not too worried [about the losing bonus point],” he said.
“Obviously it’s better than nothing, but our first priority is always to try and win games.
“I’d happily throw the odd bonus point away in order to win games, that’s our target every time we step out on the pitch.
“Sheffield are not a bad side at all, although it’s a loss in our first game after Christmas it was a really positive performance.
“All be told, we ran out of steam in the second half. We lost that little bit of energy, it was a real battle, so it was disappointing to lose after that first-half performance.”
The Bromsgrove chief takes the stance that his troops will be better for the first post-Christmas run out, adding: “It’s always a hard time around Christmas with colds and viruses going around.
“Fitness is not where it needed to be to maintain the tempo of the first half, Sheffield squeezed us a little bit and managed to get the win as a result.
“But I’m pleased with the lads that were returning from injury, they needed that run out.”
Bromsgrove sit fifth in the table on 41 points and are tasked with a tough ask on their return to Finstall Road against leaders Bournville (62 points).
Previewing the clash, Protherough said: “It would be nice to get a big crowd down there against a Bournville side who have had a good start to the season.
“They’re well drilled, but then they should be for the money that they’ve spent.
“The team have to work hard and be disciplined, we’ll have to be on top of our game.
“We’ve got two of the top three in the next two weeks, so we want to start that run with a good result.”
Bromsgrove will be boosted by news of a fully-fit squad to choose from, barring a doubt over the availability of Hugh Lockhart.
