FROM the start the game was a battle between Droitwich's 15-man style and Old Yardleians' big driving forwards.

The initial exchanges were won by the visitors as they drove at the heart of the Spa defence to score. Crucially the simple conversion was missed.

Spa then found some rhythm and hit back with two well-struck penalties by Matt Blackmore.

Good running by wingers Jamie Faulkener and Leon Hopkins gained Spa territory and Mark Sheen was strong in the centre. Blackmore added two more penalties just before the interval.

The second period again saw Droitwich start slowly and the visitors pull back the deficit with a penalty. Spa's next score came from a good piece of opportunism by Hopkins, who raced up the blind side and chipped forward, gathering his own kick only to be hauled down 20 meters short, but 18-year-old second row Phil Horton was in support. He took the ball on the run and charged for the line, out sprinting two defenders in the process.

Droitwich then threw everything at the home line to try and keep Old Yardleians out. They stayed strong, despite losing two players to the sin bin, and their defence held until the final whistle with Jon Andrews, Nick Irwin and Jim McKeown particularly impressive.

Report by STEVE BRADBURY.