BROMSGROVE slipped back to third spot in Midlands West One after suffering their second defeat of the season when losing out 36-22 to local rivals Stourbridge Lions.

It was Bromsgrove's second defeat on the trot after winning their first nine games which has enabled leaders Burton and second placed Dudley Kingswinford to cement their positions above them.

Bromsgrove head coach Dan Protherough said: "I have no complaints about the result. Stourbridge Lions were a fit, young and hungry side and they will upset a few people this season.

"While the result was disappointing, we shouldn't get too carried away. We've not played well in our last two games and haven't picked up any points as a result.

"Now it's a case of everyone getting down to work and rolling their sleeves up. We need to find a bit more at the moment.

"We didn't help ourselves by having two stupid yellow cards which meant we played most of the final quarter with 14 men.

"Stourbridge were helped by the fact they had a couple of first team players in Stef Thorpe and Sam Montieri, who were extremely good at the breakdown."

Bromsgrove have the chance to bounce straight back this Saturday when they entertain bottom of the table Sutton Coldfield at Finstall Park.

But Bromsgrove remain without their injured back row trio of Jake Abbot, Tom Hardwick and Jay Martin who are unlikely to return until after Christmas.