WOODRUSH RFC have won their battle for Midlands West Four South status.

The Hopwood side, who pulled out of Division Three on the eve of the season citing a lack of players, have been told they will finish bottom of the league and be relegated.

The alternative would have been starting at the bottom in the North Midlands Three and Woodrush chairman Simon Peace welcomed the decision.

"We had positive support from 29 of the 35 clubs we wrote to and I think that swung it," he said.

"We're very pleased with the decision.

"It will be a young side next year but they have played together for a season now.

"It will be tough and I cannot imagine we will go unbeaten next season but if we lose matches it will not be by the margin we feared this year.

"It is definitely a better league for us to play in.

"Consolidating our position in Division Four would be a successful season for us and the club is looking to recruit more players in the close season and field more sides."

The RFU ruling means struggling Kings Norton will be spared the humiliation of finishing bottom and could yet escape the drop.

Second from bottom Evesham's shock win over champions Stratford last week has consigned Kings to finishing beneath them even if they win their last match, ironically at home to Stratford on Saturday (ko 3pm).

And after avoiding the drop last year despite finishing with only two points, Norton could repeat the feat if relegated sides from above go into other feeder leagues.