BROMSGROVE RFC clinched a losing bonus point in their narrow 14-9 defeat to league leaders Syston with the Boars yet to win on their travels this season.
Will Harris kicked all nine of Bromsgrove’s points including a crucial penalty with five minutes left to play to ensure the Boars did not come away empty handed.
The result means Bromsgrove sit seventh in the Regional 1 Midlands table having earned a losing bonus point in each of their three away defeats this season.
Bromsgrove dominated possession and had 80 per cent of the ball as table toppers Syston secured a hard fought fifth successive win.
The Boars were camped inside the Syston 22 for the first half-hour but were unable to find a way through the league’s tightest defence.
And after Bromsgrove were penalised for going off their feet at the breakdown, a quick tap penalty saw Syston run 90-metres to score the game’s first converted try.
However, the Boars finally troubled the scoreboard when Harris kicked the first of his three penalties shortly before half time as Bromsgrove trailed 7-3 at the break.
And the visitors moved to within one point of their opponents when Harris kicked another penalty just five minutes into the second period.
Despite Bromsgrove throwing everything at Syston in an attempt to claim the lead, the home side were strong in defence and showed why they have conceded an average of just 12 points per game.
And Syston showed their class again after the home side ripped the ball before breaking through the middle and scoring under the posts for their second converted try with 10 minutes left to play.
Bromsgrove pushed for a try after the restart and opted to kick at goal in the final five minutes with Harris’s penalty securing a deserved losing bonus point for the visitors.
The Boars were now within one score of Syston in the final minutes and despite being camped inside the home side’s 22 were unable to find that elusive try as the hosts stole the ball and cleared into touch.
Bromsgrove are next in action away at Burton on Saturday, October 15 with kick-off at 3pm at Battlestead Croft.
