BROMSGROVE were officially consigned to bottom spot in National League 3 South West after suffering a 46-9 beating at runaway leaders Old Redcliffians.

But Bromsgrove played much better than the scoreline suggests and were well in contention at half time when they trailed 17-9.

Bromsgrove were then dealt a major blow when they had No.8 Tom Hardwick sent off on 50 minutes after picking up two yellow cards.

Head coach Dan Protherough said: "Redcliffians are a well organised side who work extremely hard and they just ran us around from that point. In the last 10 minutes we started leaking tries as fatigue set in.

"By the end of the game, my players had no more to give."

Full back Jon Critchlow provided all of Bromsgrove's points by slotting over three penalties as they fought back from 17-3 down.

However early progress was hampered with Bromsgrove down to 13 players at one point as blindside flanker Ethan Priest joined Hardwick in the sin bin.

Protherough added: " The result wasn't going to make any difference to us and the fact we've finished bottom is the least of our worries, we've known our fate for sometime.

"There wasn't much difference between the sides, but Redcliffians work extremely hard and are quick to the breakdown and that's something we need to aspire to."

Bromsgrove have no fixture this Saturday.