BROMSGROVE probably put together their season's best performance thus far with a convincing five tries winning margin over a competent Derby side in difficult playing conditions.

The home side immediately took a firm tactical grip on the game, mounting several attacks and an early converted try by outside centre Dave Wilkinson was converted by fly half Matt Birch.

Place kicking was exceptionally difficult but Birch gained three more points from inside Derby's 22 metre area having missed another earlier. Derby's scrum half Paul Ratcliffe also missed his only chance in the whole game.

The home pack, with props Gareth Williams and Chris Evans, plus hooker Dave Hurcombe playing against his former club, held their own in set scrums, while the pack set up some splendid driving mauls for scrum half Rob Marshall and the backs. The back row trio of the Bridge brothers and Alan Haley also made some probing breaks from the set scrums, while line-outs were secure in the hands of Tom Churchill and Jon Taylor.

In the 35th minute flanker Andy Bridge finished a good move with an unconverted try and only two minutes later fine handling skills right gave winger James Robson a chance for his first try. Birch's conversion saw a 22 point interval lead.

Bromsgrove had an early score after the break with Robson's unconverted try in the corner and although Derby worked hard to mount attacks, the defence was too much for them. Just before the end a surge by the home backs ended with Wilkinson skilfully holding the ball and a strong run for his second try converted by Birch.

Second XV: Derby 3 Bromsgrove 15; Fourth XV: Stourbridge Fifths 19 Bromsgrove 19; Crusaders: Lichfield Vets 21 Bromsgrove 0.