THERE was double despair for the area's two Powergen Junior Cup Midlands round two representatives as both Stourport and Cleobury Mortimer bowed out of the competition.

Stourport were hammered 71-3 at home to Leicester Forest, while Cleobury Mortimer went down 67-3 At Burntwood.

With Stourport still cursed by the adbsence of key players through injury they knew they had their work cut out against the higher graded side.

And so it proved as they trailed 14-0 to two converted tries within the first five minutes.

To their credit, Stourport's heads did not drop, and fly half Steve Griffin saved the embarrassment of a nil score with a drop goal after 20 minutes.

Although Stourport came close to scoring on several occasions, and even had a try disallowed, their visitors were ultimately too strong for them.

The final score did not truly reflect the effort and team spirit that Stourport put in and the opposition even complimented them on their determination.

O'wain Butler, making his debut at scrum half, fly half Steve Griffin and Noel Lewis at full back deserve special mentions, while the team spirit of the whole side was encouraging.

On Saturday, Stourport return to North Midlands Two South action at home to Dudley Wasps, kick off 3pm.

Fielding an under-strength side due to holidays, work commitments and injuries, the omens were not good for Cleobury against their in-form visitors.

Cleobury made seven changes and as they struggled to adjust found themselves 29-0 down after 15 minutes.

Colin Smith gave them some temporary hope with a penalty, but it was not enough as they trailed 42-3 at the break and 67-3 at the final whistle.

With so many alterations there was a knock-on effect for the seconds whose game against Bridgnorth thirds had to be cancelled.

Cleobury first travel to Woodrush in North Midlands South One on Saturday, while the twos are away at Market Draytron.