Redditch RFC

After training hard for the last couple of months this was the test to see whether Tom Saddington's approach would work.

And work it did as our quick ball style stood up well to the Alcester defence. Days of practice at setting and clearing the ball after a tackle were well remembered on the pitch and Redditch showed some promising moves.

Though we had done little on scrums and lineouts new prop Jack Kelly held up his tight head and we held our own in the scrums.

Tyler and Clarke carried on where they left off last season taking some good clean ball at the lineout.

Rory Allen stepped in at scrum half and opened our scoring with a well taken try.

Matthew Taylor retuned from the long term injury suffered at Stourport after taking last season off. He looked fit and handled the conditions well.

Elliot Williams was one of a number of new players who stood out setting up our second try.

It was evident at various points in the game that Alcester used players from their first yeam squad, but, fortunately no one was hurt, and our boys received valuable experience against stronger opposition.

With six lower XVs playing in our league, it is to be hoped that they don't have the opportunity to play higher league players.

So next Saturday we welcome Tenbury and look for another solid performance in the opening league match of the season.

Forwards set the ball we have been training for.