Bromsgrove 28 Peterborough Lions 24
National Three Midlands
BROMSGROVE produced one of their best performances of the season as they beat third-placed Peterborough Lions at Finstall Park.
Dan Protherough’s men were on a run of three successive defeats, while their opponents were closing in on the promotion places after an impressive run of form.
But it was the hosts who took control of the encounter when Chris Morgan and Matt Edgar touched down just before the break.
A Tom Hunt try gave them further breathing space before Jon Critchlow kicked the decisive points from the tee.
The visitors were favourites to win the encounter as they arrived having won four of their last five games – and they got off to a strong start.
The Lions’ pack took an early stranglehold as a big catch and drive saw them make 25 metres before Chris Humphrey peeled off to score in the corner. Will Carrington converted.
However, this show of strength did not appear to phase Bromsgrove who came back strongly with backs Critchlow and Lloyd Jones running good lines, while returning half back duo Richard Mahoney and Adam Whiteman looked lively.
It only took Grove five minutes to respond when their pressure earned a kick at goal for Critchlow which he nailed.
Soon after captain Paul Norris was forced off the park with an injury but this seemed to make the home side more determined with second rows Edgar and Ben Meadows prominent.
Grove’s line-out was also functioning and it was from the set-piece where Bromsgrove laid the platform for their next score as Morgan crashed over. Critchlow added the extras to make it 10-7.
The Lions were under heavy pressure, but they appeared to clinging on before a spilled pass allowed Edgar to pounce and score.
Bromsgrove further extended their lead to 18-7 when Mahoney kicked a penalty as they looked to press home their advantage.
A penalty from Carrington got Peterborough back on the scoreboard, but when Hunt went over and Critchlow landed the conversion the match appeared to be won.
However, the away side refused to give in and hit back when wing Vernon Horne got on the end of a slick handling move to score, which Carrington converted.
Critchlow fired home a penalty with five minutes remaining to all but secure victory, but it was Peterborough who had the last word as Arturo Balcunius struck before Carrington coolly dispatched the conversion to claim a losing bonus point.
