THE kicking of Julian Harding suffered in the Woodrush quagmire as Cleobury Mortimer went down 14-11 to their North Mids South One rivals.

A duel between Harding and his opposite number settled the opening half with the Woodrush man converting two penalties and Harding scoring one and missing one.

After the break Harding found the target to level the scores at 6-6 only for his nemesis to notch another and put the hosts in front going into the final quarter.

Woodrush managed a try wide out and although they missed the conversion thought they had created a sufficient gap to win the match.

In fact they had, but not until the tenacious Cleobury pack had helped No 8 Paul Hulland crash over for his 10th try of the season to give the visitors renewed hope.

But Harding hit the upright with his conversion and although Cleobury applied concerted pressure in the final minutes they were unable to recover.

The result sees Woodrush draw level on points in mid-table with Cleobury.

They will fancy their chances of success when they entertain basement club Birmingham Exiles on Saturday.

The seconds game was cancelled.