BROMSGROVE RFC started the new season with a 31-19 bonus point victory against Banbury.
The Boars made a winning start to the new campaign as James Gunther crossed twice while Ben Tibbetts, Thomas Cubitt and Ollie Ingram also touched down at Finstall Park.
And the bonus point win means Bromsgrove sit fourth in the Regional 1 Midlands table, behind three teams on points difference.
The Boars made the perfect start as Tibbetts scored Bromsgrove’s first try of the new season under the posts after just four minutes from Ingram’s offload.
And Gunther extended the home side’s lead with a catch and drive score in the corner.
Banbury responded with a score under the posts only for Gunther to dot down his second try of the game and restore Bromsgrove’s 14-point lead.
However, the visitors crossed shortly before half time to close the gap to seven points at the interval.
And Banbury crossed for another converted try on 65 minutes to level the game and set up a thrilling finale.
However, from the restart, Rich Hance broke free from his own 22 and almost went the length of the pitch before he teed up Cubitt to score Bromsgrove’s bonus point try.
And Ingram dotted down Joe Walker’s grubber kick with five minutes left to play to seal an opening day victory for the Boars and deny the visitors a losing bonus point.
Bromsgrove are next in action against Newport (Salop) on Saturday, September 13 with kick-off at 3pm at The Old Showground.
