BROMSGROVE bowed out of the North Midlands Cup after crashing to a heavy 72-8 defeat against Midlands One West side Bournville.

Head coach Dan Protherough rang the changes with 12 of the starting line-up from the previous week's defeat at Newton Abbot rested for the game - and it showed!

Protherough brought in numerous players from Bromsgrove's Development Squad but the moved back-fired dramatically in the second half as Bournville ran riot.

Having led 5-3 early in the game, Bromsgrove were still within reach at 20-8 down just before half time.

But they conceded converted tries either side of the break which effectively ended the game as a contest.

Former Bromsgrove players Warren Oliver, Drew Harper and Chris Morgan all came back to haunt the Finstall Park club by scoring tries.

Protherough claimed: "Bournville are flying high in the division just below us and were close to full strength, while in contrast we decided to give some of our youngsters a chance.

"But we conceded tries to the last play of the first half and then the first play in the second half and I think everyone must have gone to sleep from that point.

"We made some basic errors which you wouldn't expect to see from first team players. But at least the youngsters now know what they need to aspire to."

Protherough will wait on the fitness of Paul Norris and Sam Bastock before naming his side to face second in the table Bristol-based Old Redcliffians at Finstall Park.

The coach added: "I hope the rested players will respond. Old Redcliffians have been going well of late. However, we always seem to perform better against the top sides, having only just narrowly lost to leaders Camborne. We need more of that on Saturday."