DIRECTOR of rugby Dan Protherough believes Bromsgrove’s clash against Midlands One West leaders Burton this weekend will be a war of attrition.
After having Saturday’s clash at Wolverhampton postponed due to the heavy snowfalls, the Boars return to action tomorrow (Saturday) hoping to close the gap on their Staffordshire opponents.
Burton are nine points ahead of third-placed Bromsgrove and Protherough has stressed his side will need to raise their game to claim victory.
And with the conditions expected to be far from the best, the Boars chief added that the winner will be decided by who wants to work the hardest.
“There’s no doubting this is a big game and we are going to have to deliver our game plan to come away with something,” he said.
“We have got to make sure we exploit Burton’s weaknesses and stamp our authority on the game.
“In recent weeks we have not played particularly well and let the opposition dictate the game so it’s important we set the tempo.
“It’s going to be a war of attrition and in the difficult conditions the winner is the one who shows the least indiscipline, the one who kicks goals well and the one who takes the right options.”
Bromsgrove got the better of Burton in the previous meeting at Finstall Park in Septemeber, with the Boars leaving it late to snatch a 33-31 victory.
Josh Holt (2), Ed Spalding, Chris Hooper and Tom Millen bagged the tries on that day with James Upton kicking the rest of the points.
Although there could be plenty riding on the reverse fixture this weekend, Protherough told the Standard the Boars can afford to drop points.
“If we lose, it is important we come away with a bonus point because that is something we have not done in defeats earlier in the season,” he added.
“We can afford to lose because if we beat Dudley Kingswinford we still have a good chance of getting into the top two.
“However, our focus is simply on the next game and if we beat Burton it opens it all back up again in terms of challenging for the title.
“But whether we win or lose, there is still plenty to play for and it should not all be about winning games and promotion.
“It should be about making the club stronger.”
