Metronomic Mahoney makes Lichfield pay the penalty as Boars produce stirring fight back

TWO last-gasp penalty kicks saw swash-buckling Bromsgrove grab an unlikely victory at Lichfield.

The Boars notched up a fourth win in the first five games in the National Midlands Division Three, despite trailing 22-19 and being reduced to 14 men because of a slew of injuries.

Lichfield were one of only three sides to achieve the double against Bromsgrove last season, and the memory of the away defeat loomed large as the hosts started brightly.

Both teams missed kickable penalties early on but the away team opened the scoring when Chris Danks dummied the home defence and sped through the gap to touch down, before adding the extras.

Bromsgrove were on top but could not capitalise and Lichfield started to find their feet.

Will Cotterill pulled a try back to make it 7-5 but the home side edged ahead when Paul Maxwell-Keys touched down to hand them a slender lead at half-time.

Bromsgrove were forced to make changes because of injuries but came on strong again and Phil Horton was denied a score by a tap tackle.

But James Upton edged them 12-10 ahead after a sustained period of pressure.

Substitute Mahoney missed the conversion but when James Shewell had to come off because of a shoulder injury, Bromsgrove had ran out of replacements and went down to 14 men.

Even so it was the Boars who scored next when Horton crashed over for a try which Mahoney converted.

Bromsgrove were leading 19-10 but were temporarily reduced to 13 men and Lichfield scored two more tries, one converted, to earn a try bonus point and take a 22-19 lead.

With defeat looking likely, the Finstall Park side rallied impressively.

Man of the match Chris Danks marshalled the forwards well, and thanks to good line kicking for field position by Mahoney, Bromsgrove found themselves back in the Lichfield.

Pressure was telling on the hosts, and they conceded a penalty, which Mahoney coolly stroked over to level the scores.

With time was running out, Bromsgrove's forward pressure force a Lichfield error, which Mahoney tucked away to secure a memorable success.