Redditch RFC

This rearranged fixture fell on a free weekend which gave the home side the opportunity to field a stronger than usual side. The grey skies and constant drizzle added to the miserable afternoon for all concerned yet despite the conditions and the ever increasing score line R never gave up, battling hard to the end yet finding the stronger home side just too much in the end.

E started crisply, a set scrum close to the R line was won, the ball was spun to their inside centre who sliced through the defensive line for the first of four first half tries.

R responded straight away, having won a ruck on half way James Mills chipped neatly to the wing where Joe Morgan was able to outsprint his man and win the chase to his hacked on kick.

The battle for possession was pretty even throughout the game, Mickey Adams, Joe Purvis and Sid Allen up front provided some forward momentum, whilst Clarke Parker and Chris Coleman shored up the defensive line with Tyler Monger tackling everything in sight. Yet despite their graft R conceded three more tries, when the key men of E turned the screw and found the gaps.

Losing skipper Will Spires after the interval didn't help, influential hooker Loran Abbott also had to take an injury break, the disjointed visitors failed to make many inroads and threaten the E line, though Aaron Atkinson had a couple of breaks which were snuffed out.

 In defence, Rory Allen again made some crucial tackles, Takunda Kahwa and Cal Razzak and Joe Morgan were kept busy and at times threatened going forward, but they were unable to cope with the stronger man power of E who ran in four more tries in the second half.

Bishops Castle away is their reward on Saturday.

Joe Purvis takes the ball forward