BROMSGROVE RFC First XV lost their advantage in the Midlands Two (West) title race with a rare 22-22 draw at Barkers Butts.

Dean Ball's side, who had put themselves in pole position with a 22-21 defeat of Derby last week, still head the table by a point but have played a game more.

Town won the try count 4-1 but the coach was full of praise for the opposition.

He said: "I started by congratulating them, their back row was outstanding and made our lives very difficult. I would have taken a win but it would have been a travesty on them.

"At the end of the day it just goes to show it's 15 against 15. It's definitely a point gained.

"The lads were disappointed but I am not overly concerned with particular performances."

Town dominated the first quarter but were unable to maintain the momentum and allowed their opponents opportunities to grasp control of the game through penalties and drop goals.

Bromsgrove's first score came when skipper Dave Clark chose to ignore an kickable penalty in front of the posts and go for a scrummage. Ross Baxter then fed Nick Copson who supplied Danny Malin to dummy and score. Steve Philips charged through defenders to make it 10-0.

A penalty in front of the posts gifted Barkers Butts three points and levelled the score with a converted try following a scrum five yards out.

A dropped goal gave the host 13-10 half time lead.

Several missed tackles gave the home side opportunities to play deep within the Bromsgrove half and they kicked another drop goal and penalty to lead 19-10.

Town's third try came after the ball went blind to Steve Philips and eventually to Malin who scored the second of his brace. James Lloyd-Jones converted.

Disappointingly and despite a disallowed try, Town failed to convert pressure into points and they paid the price when a home dropped goal left them trailing 22-17.

The visitors regrouped and finally managed to score an excellent try through Lloyd-Jones' powerful running. Unfortunately the conversion was missed.

Bromsgrove Colts crashed out of the North Midlands Cup at the first hurdle in emphatic fashion as an outstanding Birmingham University side thrashed them 67-0 last Sunday.