BROMSGROVE'S first Midlands Two West outing at Finstall Park ended in a 20-10 defeat to Solihull.

New Zealander Kent Summerfield opened the scoring when Solihull were penalised within kicking range.

The visitors held up a Bromsgrove attack five yards short of the line, but flankers John Ward and Drew Harper were driven over to score a well deserved try. Summerfield made no mistake with the conversion.

Bromsgrove's young number eight Nigel Burrows was then adjudged to have kicked an opponent and was red carded.

From the resulting penalty, Solihull kicked for the corner and drove the lineout ball over to score an unconverted try.

In the second-half, the Bromsgrove pack started to struggle as the lack of numbers and increased work rate took their toll. Solihull exploited this with a penalty and two unconverted tries through the forwards to seal a 20-10 verdict.

Skipper Richard Arnold said: "The game on Saturday against Burton away is a must-win. If we perform like we did for the first 30 minutes against Solihull and sustain it throughout the match, then I wouldn't bet against us."

n Bromsgrove will switch on the new floodlights at Finstall Park on Friday as part of the RFU's Go Play Rugby initiative. The floodlights, which cost £53,600, have been funded by the club and a £29,000 grant from the RFU community club development programme.

Bromsgrove will also officially open their refurbished clubhouse which includes a shop, store rom, physiotherapist room and toilets.

The refurbishment has cost £100,000 with half the cost coming from a an interest-free loan from the Rugby Football Foundation.