Redditch RFC

In a competition spoiled by 20 walkovers of 27 scheduled fixtures Redditch took the field against old rivals Keresley.

Since they last met at Redditch where the home side were spanked 3-28 Keresley have won promotion to a higher league and have been unbeaten in that league to date this season.

With the match switched to the slopey second team pitch to allow the new grass to take root on the main pitch, Redditch won the toss and elected to run up hill.

So what a surprise to score three tries up the hill and go to the break 15-12 in front.

Just as the first half provided exciting end to end rugby with 5 tries scored the sceond half turned out to be a dire affair, with Redditch defending grimly in their own 22 for much of the half.

With Redditch struggling in the lineout and Keresley struggling in the scrum a pattern emerged of lineout - not straight - scrum - penalty - lineout - not straight et cetera spoiling the match as both teams and the referee failed to come to grips with the new lineout laws.

When presented with the opportunity Keresley converted a penalty chance to lock the score at 15 each with the threat of extra time a real possibility.

However it was Keresley who had the final word crashing over to score in the dying seconds of the game.

The conversion was the last play of the match leaving Keresley with a close victory by 22-15.

Redditch RFC wish Keresley luck in their progression through the cup.

Next match is at home to local rivals Kings Norton on 4th October.

See match report for more detail.

Photo: Stu Brooks whose influence in the match was impressive until forced to retire throuh injury. Stu scored the first try and set up the second,