BROMSGROVE RFC had three players sin-binned as they finished a well-beaten side after losing 19-3 at Peterborough Lions.
The visitors had started brightly in the National Midlands Division Three match on a wet and windy day, but once Peterborough took the lead when the Boars had Jon Malings sin-binned the hosts seized the initiative.
To make matters worse, the Boars lost wing Dave Lewis to injury, and after a delay for an ambulance to be called to take him to hospital, the game was switched to the seconds pitch to use their floodlights.
A second-half comeback was also scuppered when James Upton, having kicked a penalty, was dismissed temporarily before Chris Danks added to visitors’ frustration with another yellow card right at the death.
Ben Meadows had summed up Bromsgrove’s early intent, taking the ball deep into Lions’ territory, but both teams tackled really well.
A series of penalties eventually produced some good field position for the home side and when Malings sin-binned Peterborough took advantage. Matt Dunn dived over for a try converted by Will Carrington to lead 7-0.
Upton missed a penalty to respond and Bromsgrove seemed to wilt.
Sensing a weakness, Lions piled on the pressure in the scrums and eventually forced a penalty try.
Trailing 12-0 at the break, Bromsgrove started the second half well, and cut the gap with a penalty from the boot of Upton.
But the Boars then went down to 14 men when Upton was dismissed temporarily after a knock-on trying to intercept a pass.
Bromsgrove held out during his absence, but the home side eventually crossed the line again when Lithuanian international Arturas Balciunas barrelled over following a catch and drive on 57 minutes. Carrington added the extras to make it 19-3.
Danks was also given a yellow card right at the death to sum up a frustrating day.
Bromsgrove were left reflecting on a second defeat in a row but Dan Protherough’s side, in fourth place in the table, will look to bounce back on Saturday when they face Sandbach at Finstall Road (2.15pm).
