BROMSGROVE’S hope of picking up a vital victory in the battle at the bottom of the National North Two were quashed as they suffered a 55-25 defeat at fellow strugglers Leicester Lions.

The Boars paid the price for a lacklustre first half display when they were blown away.

Trailing 34-6 at half-time, Bromsgrove rallied and scored three second half tries but it was too little too late.

Head coach Ross Baxter admitted his frustration, as Bromsgrove become further sucked into a relegation battle.

Bromsgrove are fourth from bottom with Leicester and Hull within striking distance just below.

“We has trained well all week, the players had been up for the game but we lacked intensity in the first half and paid the price,” said Baxter.

“We lost the game in the first half but I was disappointed with the performance in the second half as we missed out on a bonus point.

“With things becoming tight at the bottom we will have make sure we starting picking up every point we can. The team is not going to change really, all we can do is work hard and try to improve.”

Bromsgrove had started the game strongly and got into several good positions with a series of drives.

Both sides exchanged penalties, with Aaron Higgins putting two away, but as the away side’s scrum fell apart, Lions roared. Tries for Jack Gibbons, Steve Cross,Ryan Barrett and David Campbell all touched down, while Boden added the extras to leave the away side reeling.

Bromsgrove struggled after the break and Nixon Kane, Cross and Gibbons all touched down to give the home side an insurmountable lead.

But the Finstall Park side finally awoke and Higgins touched down, while Phil Horton bagged a brace.

Higgins also added two conversions but the points provided little consolation for stunned Bromsgrove.

The Boars now face the daunting task of tackling promotion-chasing Stourbridge at home on Saturday (3pm).

The third-placed Black Country side are currently battling with Sedgley Park, Darlington Mowden Park and Macclesfield over the top spot.

Bromsgrove did stun the Saxons with a surprise victory at Stourton Park last season.

Baxter said: “We’ve a very tough game against Stourbridge but we’ve got to start putting in performances.

“If we stay strong, cut down the penalty count and take our chances, there is hope.”