BUOYANT Bromsgrove opened up a compelling six point lead on top of Midlands One West with a 55-22 triumph over Hereford.

Bromsgrove's success was compounded further by second placed Newbold's somewhat surprising 41-15 reverse at Stoke.

But Bromsgrove head coach Dan Protherough was quick to play down their victory and said: "The scoreline flattered us!

"Hereford are possibly the best side we've played this season both home and away and gave us a really tough game.

"We scored three tries in the final five minutes which probably makes the scoreline look much better than it was.

"I thought we were too ill-disciplined at times and gave away far too many penalties and that is something we need to talk about this week."

Postman Josh Holt again stamped his authority on the game by delivering a hat-trick of tries while props Ethan Priest and Bobby Green, together with centre Ed Spalding, Sam Bastock and Kai Douglas also crossed the whitewash.

Adam Whiteman provided the remaining points with six conversions and a penalty.

Bromsgrove travel to third from bottom Longton this Saturday and Protherough warned:

"I'm expecting another tough game. Longton have picked up in recent weeks with victories over Stourbridge Lions, Sutton Coldfield and Old Halesonians.

"Sometimes the sides near the bottom prove the hardest games as they are scrapping for every point.

"I had a suspicion that Stoke might beat Newbold, although not by the margin of points which they did. The points difference between ourselves and Newbold was a massive turnover in our favour.

"But we can only focus on the next game in front of us and not get ahead of ourselves".