Redditch RFC

After the close encounter of the Terry's kind last week, Redditch opted to return to a quite firm 1st team pitch for their clash with Stourport.

The standard was set when Redditch mishandled the kick off before managing to scramble the ball away to Matt Allen, who, after a bullocking run, became isolated and gave away the penalty. Stourport converted to go into a quick lead.

Shortly after Redditch were again penalised for offside in the backs. Stour made good ground from the kick and took the lineout with ease, spreading the ball to score out wide.

They managed to create an overlap as the Redditch backs rushed up but failed to make a tackle.

Redditch had no answer to the visitors at scrum time and after being pushed off the ball on their feed they gave away the penalty which the visitors converted.

When running from their own line a Stour player was adjudged to have fended off the defence in a dangerous manner and Will Spires put Redditch on the board.

As the half progressed Redditch were once more pushed off their own ball. This time the scrum was reset only for Stourport to take the ball and score after a clean break through the centres.

With the half time score at 3-20 Redditch kicked off full of hope. It was soon shattered as a Stour player took the ball cleanly and showed great footwork, sidestepping through the onrushing Redditch forwards (and a few of the backs) to run 60 metres without a hand being laid on him, as Redditch showed a deplorable level of tackling ability.

Shortly after Stourport again exploited the overlap to take the ball wide and score the bonus point try.

A sharp break by Aaron Atkinson was dealt with effectively. James mills was now able to gain some field position with kicks to the corners but the Stourport line was working well and it wasn't long before Redditch's paper thin defence was twice exploited in quick succession to take their score to 3-44.

However the visitors were starting to earn the wrath of the referee and Redditch camped in the opposition 22. Eventually her patience ran out and Stourport had a player sent to the bin for the duration of the match.

James Mills spotted the disorganisation in the ranks and scampered over for a try.

Redditch lifted their game but were disappointed to have a second try disallowed.

They pushed hard but could not breach the defences again with the final score 8-44.

Redditch will have to improve massively if they are to trouble Hereford next week.