BROMSGROVE boss Ross Baxter took plenty of positives from the 48-21 defeat at Darlington Mowden Park this week.

After coming to terms with playing in an empty 20,000-seater stadium, Bromsgrove gave a battling first half display and were well in contention at half time when two consecutive yellow cards kicked in.

Darlington scored early tries through Tom Kill and Henry Robinson to lead 12-0 and memories of Bromsgrove’s 62-point thrashing last season came flooding back.

But the Boars proved a tougher nut to crack this time and responded with both a penalty try plus another touchdown from George De Cothi, both of which were converted by Aaron Higgins to trail 23-14 by the break.

Baxter said: “I think Darlington thought they were going to roll us over early doors again, but we played well in the first-half and put them under pressure before the yellow cards set in.

“We lost second row Steve Smith a minute before half-time and when he returned we lost James Young.

“We were down to 14 men for almost 20 minutes and that helped set-up the platform for Darlington’s victory.”

Darlington added to an earlier try from Pierce Phillips as Callum MacKenzie, Ben Simpson and a second Robinson touchdown sealed victory with Gavin Painter kicking the remaining points.

But Bromsgrove had the final word with Adam Whiteman going over for a try which Higgins converted.

Bromsgrove host Hull on Saturday at Finstall Park.

Baxter said: “This is realistically our chance to get a first win.

“Like ourselves, Hull haven’t won this season and these are the games we have to perform in. “We need a real performance against them as already there is a clear split occuring in the league.”

Bromsgrove hope to have influential number eight Phil Horton and fly-halves Richard Mahoney and Jon Critchlow back.

There’s also encouraging news concerning flanker Chris McGregor who has now recovered from a broken leg and is back in training.

Baxter believes McGregor could return to action in a couple of weeks.