Bromsgrove use their "get out of jail card" to frustrate South

South visited Bromsgrove's well presented ground determined to continue their climb up the table. A good firm pitch with short grass offered the ideal scenario for an open game, although the cross wind was a hindrance to both sides. Due to illness and injury South's back division was hastily rearranged on the morning of the match. Tom Armstrong and player coach Rich Lang were absent as Matt Clarke moved to the left wing, Danny Yeow to inside centre with Nick Childs making his debut at outside centre.

It was 26 minutes into the game before a score was registered as both teams fought for ascendancy in contrasting styles. Bromsgrove all pace and width with South responding with uncompromising defence and forward power.
The South rolling maul came into its own after a break out from defence with Mike March going over the line. Mark Lord was unable to add the conversion points as the wind drifted his attempt marginally wide.
Bromsgrove reduced the margin and eventually took the lead with two penalties from Ben Copson as Mike March received a yellow card for illegally trying to stop a Bromsgrove score.
Half time at 6-5 to the hosts, who increased their lead to 11-5 with an unconverted try immediately after the interval. Mark Lord reduced the margin to 11-8 with a well struck penalty and then the South juggernaut took over with a tremendous 30 metre drive creating a try for Max Castrogiovanni converted by Lord to move South 11-15 in the lead. Back came Bromsgrove with another Copson penalty until South debutant Nick Childs finished off a devastating break out by Matt Clark and Steve Martin with his first try for the 1st XV. Lord couldn’t convert which would have taken South 8 points clear with only minutes left on the clock.
Bromsgrove were from then on camped in South's 22 metre area attacking from every piece of possession. The South scramble defence was up to the task and rebuffed attack after attack. The crucial moment arrived when South skipper Mike March was harshly binned for a defensive infringement which lead to a red card and South were reduced to 14 men again. Bromsgrove took advantage to score and convert a try for the winning score as South simply ran out of numbers as they valiantly tried to defend their line.

An absolutely tremendous display by South in going so close after leading for so long. A try count of three to two in South's favour shows the way all the players put their bodies on the line for the cause. What might have been!

Overall, dependent on your point of view, a bonus point gained, but three points lost in a game South could have and should have won!
We still have a problem in shutting out a game.

Team: McFedries, Martin, Childs, Yeow (Cartwright), Clarke, Lord, Jordan, Bale C (Chris Mark), Castrogiovanni, March©, Antill, Bale S, Shepherd, Green, Jones.
Unused replacement: King

Men of the Match: Dom Green and Nick Childs.