Mansfield 14 Bromsgrove 27

BROMSGROVE ended the first half of the season on a high note as they trounced Mansfield away from home on Saturday.

Victory in Mansfield mean the newly promoted Boars took another step towards safety in Midlands Division One.

Director of coaching Dean Ball was delighted with his side's resilience - despite the distance travelled.

He said: "The players aren't use to coming so far north for the games.

"Travelling can have a big impact on a team, but they weren't disturbed at all by it."

Bromgrove were in control from the start of the game tries for Ben Copson, James Lloyd-Jones, Richard Arnold and Lee Wainright saw off the home side.

Fly-half Matt Birch was also in sparkling form, converting two tries and scoring a penalty.

The coach told the Advertiser/Messenger he was pleased with the old heads that were forced to play.

Jim Briery, 49, was just one of the more experineced players who came on near the end to help Bromsgrove get an all important victory.

Ball said: "It was a refreshing game. The younger players softened up Mansfield and the old heads finished them off.

"It's great to see that we have players at both ends of time line so commited to Bromsgrove."

The coach believes his side are in a strong position to progress in the second half of the season.

He said: "There's no reason why we can't progress if we continue to play well.

"We're not out of danger yet, but we're doing our best to escape it."

Bromsgrove return to action in the league on January 8 when they entertain Scunthorpe (2.15pm start).