It was no surprise that Worcester would face Bromsgrove in the first league game of the season as they are at the beginning of the alphabet and we are at the end. It was good to be playing a local side and the two teams kept apart by league status over the last years had many players who knew each other and relished the chance to get bragging rights in the bar. It was also good to have a guard of honour from the Mini Juniors U9's from both teams.

The game was a double header, with the cup progress also being decided on the outcome.
As games go it was generally played in a good spirit and the sunny weather and well prepared pitch helped contribute to an enjoyable game with both sides trying to play positive rugby.
The score line finished 37 -23 to Bromsgrove, but it was not looking that positive for Bromsgrove till the last 20 mins. Although Bromsgrove started the better team, and were awarded kickable penalties, it was actually Worcester game to lose when in to the second half they had a 23-11 lead. They will have to look at how a very positive scoreline was allowed to slip and Bromsgrove were allowed to score so many unanswered points.

The game looked like it was to finish with Worcester earning a loosing bonus point, but a strange turn of events saw Worcester try to run it from behind their line, a pass hit the post protector, bounced in to a Bromsgrove players hands, who passed quickly to the left and they scored. That score took the bonus point away.

Bromsgrove were made to work very hard for the win, but they were able to control the game better than Worcester earning three pentacles in quick succession all in kickable positions to get the scoreboard rolling, rapidly catching Worcester up. The Worcester scrum had dominance in the set piece, but it was the driving play of the big Bromsgrove forwards who made the inroads and the new ruck laws suited this style of play and meant they could sustain position of the ball for long periods of time. 2 yellow cards meant that Worcester had to play against the large abrasive pack with 14 players for 20 mins. This combined with a high penalty count meant we made everything more challenging than it needed to be.

Worcester should by no means be discouraged by this result as lots of positives were evident in the game. Worcester now have to wait till April to try and win bragging rights back, but will be preparing hard to make a very positive start to the home league campaign when they take on Mosley Oak at Westons next Saturday 3pm. Mosley beat league newcommers, Melbourne to start their season on a positive note.

Worcesters tries were scored by Tom Dodge a very well taken interception on the half way, and Dave Whiting, who went over from close range. All the other points came from the boot of Tom Biggs.