CLEOBURY Mortimer returned to Midlands Four West South duty after a lay-off through the foot and mouth crisis and beat Dunlop 26-16 at home.

They have been asked to give priority to the games with promotion-chasers Silhillians and to Saturday's opponents who are battling against relegation.

And Cleobury were in for a bruising clash against a side containing plenty of size and experience.

The opening exchanges were fierce and occasionally bad-tempered which allowed the kickers to exchange penalties.

Although Cleobury needed to move the ball, they were sometimes guilty of getting drawn into forward battles.

However, they scored the first converted try when a back-row move enabled winger James Allen to sprint under the posts.

Dunlop were determined to respond quickly and kicked two penalties as Cleobury became careless.

Worse was to follow when the visitors grabbed a converted try to go 16-10 ahead.

But Cleobury's second-half performance was much improved after strong words at the interval.

Colin Smith levelled the scores with two penalties and their free running was creating huge holes.

Chris Bunn would have scored from a two-man overlap but for a low pass and Alan Shields and Allen caused problems.

A Smith penalty put the home side ahead with 10 minutes left and Dunlop surprisingly missed a similar chance.

Cleobury took advantage as Shields pressured the Dunlop full-back and Colin Todd pounced on the loose ball for his first score of the season.

Smith's conversion increased the margin of victory which put them fifth in the table.