DIRECTOR of rugby Dan Protherough believes the experiences of last season in National Three South West has contributed to Bromsgrove’s flying start in Midlands One West.
The Boars finished rock bottom of the South West table last term but having kept the core of the squad as well as making one or two additions over the summer to bolster their ranks, Protherough’s side have enjoyed a fantastic opening to the 2017/18 campaign back in the Midlands leagues.
Saturday’s 29-10 victory over Moseley Oak cemented Bromsgrove’s spot at the table and stretched their 100 per cent winning record to eight games.
Chris Hooper, Jake Abbott, Josh Holt and Ed Spalding got the tries while James Upton (2) and Richard Mahony kicked conversions.
Upton also added a penalty to round off a comfortable victory at Finstall Park.
Although Protherough was not their to see the game due to family commitments, the Boars chief was impressed with what he saw from the match recordings.
“We were under a lot of pressure and defended brilliantly to limit Moseley to one score,” he said.
“That’s something we have managed to do a couple of times this season because it is not all about the attack, you have to defend well too.
“The fact we stuck together after last season and spent so much time on the bus together it meant everyone became friends as well as team-mates.
“That’s important in sport because you always give that little bit extra as you don’t want to let your friends down.
“Even though we lost a lot of games in the South West division, the experiences have certainly made us stronger.”
Next up for Bromsgrove is a trip to fourth-placed Rugby Lions who have only lost once so far this season.
Jake Abbott, Ollie Bache and James Gunter are unavailable for Saturday’s clash and Protherough stressed it is important to get off to a good start away from home.
“In many games this season we have been too sluggish off the bus,” he said.
“We have been quite lucky to get away with our slow starts and it could only be a matter of time before a team takes advantage of that.”
