DROITWICH Spa RFC First XV underlined their aspirations for promotion with a fine 26-8 victory over Old Halesonians to put themselves joint top of Midlands Four West (South).

Playing against a stiff breeze in the first half at the Glyn Mitchell memorial ground last Saturday, Spa used their forwards to drive at the opposition with back row man Nick Godfrey and hooker Nick Irwin both effective.

Phil Horton and Ian Craig secured a good supply of possession from the lineouts while Neil Evans and Matt Blackmore formed a strong defensive barrier in midfield.

Spa took the lead with a well struck Blackmore penalty before the visitors replied with a penalty of their own and then added a try.

Blackmore was unlucky with another penalty just before the break.

With the wind on their backs in the second half, Droitwich began to dominate the play. A nicely struck drop goal by captain Simon Mountjoy was followed up by good forward work, which saw scrum half Lee Mortlock sneak over for a try. Mountjoy then rounded off a flowing backs move to score and Blackmore added the conversion.

A confident Spa side were producing fine three quarter moves as the game drew to a close and from a fine passage of play Mountjoy made broke from his own half. He was tackled just a few meters short of the line, but found tireless young lock Horton in support to score.