Exiles hammered

This was a day of true course rugby, with players being pulled from the bar to make up the numbers and one of the players having to referee the match as the real one didn't show up.

Exiles were nowhere near full strength but sparked into life straight from the kick-off, capitalising on a loose ball, a driving maul set up a ruck which fed the ball to Gary Carter to burst over the line, Trevor Pennington converting.

This swift score proved their undoing, complacency set in and Bromsgrove were stung into action.

Within minutes they had scored two tries in reply and were being allowed to run riot due to poor tackling and too little competition for loose ball.

The strong easterly wind gave the game a different angle as it blew up the slope, so unusually the play was mostly in the top half of the pitch.

Andy Carr and Paul Buck led the fight back, Crusaders were slowed and the ball was shared more evenly.

The visitors did score another try before Redditch virtually repeated the first scoring move, this time Dave Smith grounded.

Exiles pulled themselves to within one score shortly into the second half when pressure was rewarded with a penalty, which Neil Cardy took quickly, and Lol Doughty neatly gave the scoring pass to Paul Buck.

But the comeback was short lived, a couple of breakaways defeated a tiring Exiles side.

Despite another late try for Man of the Match Buck, weaving round his would be tacklers, the hosts were well beaten.

This week the Men in Pink will play with 15 against Droitwich, a game that will be used as the last selection match before a forthcoming tour.