CONFIDENCE is dipping at Cleobury Mortimer after they failed to lift themselves from the North Midlands One bottom two in a 18-8 defeat at fellow strugglers Redditch.

But Cleobury will remain positive when they head to fourth-placed Old Griffinians on Saturday.

They were 8-0 down at the interval in the re-arranged game with Redditch at the weekend, mainly due to missed penalties and conversions.

The much-improved home side, boasting competent forwards and a speedy back division, did score an unconverted try and a penalty.

But the second period proved much closer as Cleobury looked to close the deficit only to be hit by a break-away try.

Their first response was from a Colin Smith penalty but Redditch had the bit between their teeth and exerted enough pressure for a turn-over ball which led to a third unconverted try.

Cleobury kept plugging away and Paul Hulland, on for the last 15 minutes, finished off a move with a try to further reduce the deficit.

Clee Hill 42 Cleobury Mortimer 2nds 0

The seconds did exceptionally well to compete with just 13 players in a damage limitation exercise against dominant Clee Hill.

Fixture, Saturday: Old Griffs v Cleobury Mortimer 1sts.