Old Leamingtonians 44 Droitwich 8

PATCHED-up Droitwich found their Warwickshire rivals too-hot-to-handle on Saturday.

A side missing a host of first team players faded badly in the second half after matching Old Leamingtonians in the first period.

So bad was Spa's injury crisis before the match that director of rugby Julian Bailey called up 40-somethings Tony Rhouse and Adrian Spencer into the team.

He said: "We have had so many injuries that they seem to be never ending.

"Once we get a few back we lose some others for one reason or another and we can't cope with it."

Droitwich had matched Leamingtonians in the first half, which ended 10-8 to the home side.

However, an early try by Old Leamingtonians' in the second half sparked a Droitwich collapse.

Bailey said: "We were the best team in the first half.

"Some of the stuff we played was really excellent, but we didn't have the fitness in the second half.

"I can't criticise the players as they were excellent and worked as hard as they could."

Bailey may be able to recall injured prop Jethro Tedman and hooker Dean Goddard for Saturday's game at home to third placed Hereford (2.15pm start).

Both were nearing fitness for the Old Leamingtonians game, but just missed out.

Bailey is keeping his fingers crossed that a derby match can invigorate his bottom of the table side.

He said: "Hereford haven't got a good away record so I'm hope we can take advantage.

"We're in a terrible predicament, but we can still give teams a good game."