Bromsgrove RFC First XV 6

Darlington Mowden Park 48

RFU Senior Cup round one

AFTER two giant killing acts to reach the first round proper of the RFU Senior Cup, Bromsgrove's run came to a grinding halt on Saturday.

They came up against an even bigger giant in the form of Darlington, currently flying high in National League Three (North).

Darlington, having won four promotions in as many years, has a burning ambition and a playing squad to justify it.

In spite of fielding a side slightly weakened through injuries, Bromsgrove remained in contention until just after half time.

In fact they had the audacity to take the lead twice, first after three minutes courtesy of a Matt Birch penalty goal, and again just before half time with another Birch penalty.

Although the half time whistle arrived with the scores level at 6-6, it had been achieved largely by successfully holding up Darlington on the Bromsgrove line for extended periods.

Bromsgrove's cause wasn't helped by the departure, through injury, of centre Rob Marshall after just ten minutes; by winger James Robson on the half hour; and by centre Dave Wilkinson just after half time.

This left the home side with a reshuffled formation and a courageous, but less well - drilled back division.

In less needy times scrum half Colin Morley, nursing a damaged hand for much of the game, would have been substituted.

Bromsgrove's forwards were resolute and effective throughout and secured a fair share of the ball in every phase of the game.

Powerful

But Darlington's backs, big, powerful and well drilled, resisted all Bromsgrove probes.

When, three minutes into the second half, the Darlington centre Matt Howland -- probably their man of the match -- forced a way through for a try, easily converted by Kevin Oliphant, Bromsgrove's strategy had to change.

They had to be more adventurous in attack. This they were, and the home supporters had plenty to cheer and appreciate.

It was this change though that sealed Bromsgrove's fate.

Darlington, always quicker to re-marshal their forces in both attack and defence, three times in quick succession broke free when defending deep in their own half to score three converted tries.

Bromsgrove's morale never sagged but the bruised, battered and leg-weary home side found it difficult to contain the buoyant and beefy Darlington backs who were hungry for every last point.

Two more converted tries in the dying minutes of the game gave the visitors a victory by a margin that, while reflecting the difference in league status between the two sides, gave no hint of the loser's great fight against the huge odds.

For Bromsgrove there is the consolation that they are the only club from the Midland leagues to reach this stage of the Senior Cup, and the hope that the experience gained will be put to good use in their promotion drive.

This resumes this Saturday when they entertain Newbold, relegated last year from Midlands One (3pm kick off).