HEAD coach Dan Protherough believes Saturday’s rematch at Old Halesonians will be much closer affair.

Bromsgrove are set to field a full-strength side for their trip to Wassell Grove, aiming to avenge last weekend’s 24-7 defeat to their local rivals at Finstall Park in the North Midlands Cup.

Protherough made eight changes from their last game in the Midlands Three National and was pleased with the application of the young guns.

But with the league resuming, he send out his strongest side possible.

“We’ve got a few niggly injuries but otherwise we will be full strength for the game,” said Protherough.

“It’s going to be a much tougher and close game than in the cup and there’s not going to be a lot in it.

“Old Hales played well last week, their backs had a good game but we learned a lot.”

Youthful Bromsgrove matched their opponents in the first half and saw Chris Morgan touch down for a try and Tom Biggs added the extra points as they went into half-time trailing 19-0.

The second half was a closer affair but the away side managed to scored another try and despite the host’s efforts, they could not breach full-strength Hales.

Protherough said: “I was pleased with the effort of the players, it was an opportunity to look at some of the players we have coming through.”