Droitwich Sport
Boars slump to a narrow reverse
8:00pm Wednesday 1st February 2012
Hull Ionians 34, Bromsgrove 32
BROMSGROVE narrowly missed out on victory but gained two bonus points in a pulsating National Two North contest.
The visitors started the game in the worst possible fashion, conceding a converted try in the opening minute through Sam Wilson after losing possession from the kick-off.
But the Boars hit straight back, Jon Critchlow starting and finishing a move before slotting the conversion.
Hull restored their lead with a penalty try but a Critchlow penalty kept the scores close as the Bromsgrove pack started to get on top.
After a period of pressure, Warren Oliver went over in the corner and Critchlow added the conversion to give Bromsgrove a 17-14 lead.
But it was end-to-end stuff and Hull regained the lead almost from the restart, prop Simon Jenkins crossing following a powerful driving maul.
Dave Marshall missed the conversion but the Boars defence was quickly breached again, with Wilson once again the man to score.
Trailing 24-17, Bromsgrove looked to level and did so after Sam Bastock was released to score following a series of surges. Critchlow converted from the touchline to tie things up.
Even then, there was still time for Marshall to kick a penalty as the hosts lead 27-24 at the break.
After such a frenetic first-half, the second period was always likely to be quieter. Bromsgrove’s pack were again beginning to assert some dominance and Critchlow knocked over a penalty to level the scores.
But a series of missed opportunities eventually proved the Boars’ undoing.
From one such attack the ball was spilled, allowing Marshall to set up Wilson for his hat-trick, with the extras added to give them a 34-27 lead.
The Boars hit back with a Caolin Ryan try but the conversion went wide.