First away win for Boars

With seasoned veteran Bob Merritt absent, skipper Richard Arnold stepped back into the hooker position.

Against a home side that base their game on a strong scrum a powerful performance from the Bromsgrove pack would be necessary and that is precisely what they provided.

The Boars dominated territory and possession with the back-row instrumental in retaining the ball and linking play with the three-quarters.

Duncan Roke again controlled play at fly-half and it did not take long for Bromsgrove to be awarded the first kickable penalty of the game, which Ben Copson pushed just wide.

However, Bromsgrove were first to score when winger Lee Wainwright cleverly chipped over his opposite number on Whitchurch's 10-yard line.

The ball bounced kindly for Wainwright to retrieve, and he drew the defender before setting Drew Harper away for a well deserved try under the post.

Copson made no mistake with the conversion and the Boars led 7-0.

The visitors continued to mount pressure on Whitchurch but squandered opportunities to extend their lead until Wainwright cleverly intercepted an attacking move from Whitchurch on Bromsgrove's 22.

With a clear run to the try-line Wainwright stepped on the gas and ran in a try which Copson converted to take the score to 14-0.

With 10 minutes to go until half-time Bromsgrove appeared to relax and Whitchurch raised their game.

Bromsgrove's defence stayed strong but eventually they conceded a converted try, to make the score 14-7 at the break. The second half saw Bromsgrove struggling to win scrums and their own line-out ball easily.

Their attacking play was lacklustre and Whitchurch were determined to turn the game around.

However, the Boars defended well.

They fought for scraps at the breakdown with Nigel Burrows at the vanguard. Bromsgrove were the first to add points in the second half with a well taken Copson penalty.

It was not until the last 10 minutes that Whitchurch managed a converted try.

This took them within a score of Bromsgrove which made for some nervous final minutes.

But the Boars' solid defence prevented any further scores and they came away with a much needed win.