Worcester Wanderers 15 Droitwich Spa 12

Midlands Division Four West (South)

DROITWICH tasted defeat for the first time this season as they allowed a 12-point advantage to slip through their fingers away at Worcester Wanderers.

A late Worcester penalty sealed a fight back by the hosts as Droitwich faded badly after a bright start saw them streak ahead in the first half.

Droitwich went into the match on the back of two wins and started positively.

Centre Ben Cottrell powered in for a touch down, which Matt Blackmore converted.

Spa's lead increased the lead when Jamie Faulkener collected a loose Worcester kick and opened up their defence with an incisive pass, which allowed Leon Hopkins to touch down.

However, after the opening burst of tries Droitwich could not match their earlier intensity.

The rampant visitors then had a try disallowed. Spa drove a maul forward and Ben Thomas crashed down for the ball, only for the referee to miss it.

The home side pulled a try back just before half time to make it 12-7. As the second half wore on Spa could not raise their increasingly lethargic performance.

The loss of prop Matt Jupp because of injury also forced Spa to hastily re-organise.

Only Jim Richardson, who made some explosive runs from the forward line, and Phil Horton played near their best.

Droitwich were pulled level by Worcester's second try and with three minutes left a penalty sealed a damaging defeat for the side.

Directory of rugby Julian Bailey said: "We were camped in Worcester's half for the first 20 minutes and played some really bright stuff.

"But we took our foot off the gas and allowed Worcester back in.

"We were a bit unlucky - the referee should have allowed a try.

"It was frustrating because the referee was right behind Ben and thought he was held up.

"But we can't blame the ref for it all. We let Worcester back in."

l Droitwich will be aiming to bounce back when they play bottom side Coventry Marconi at home on Saturday, October 1 (3pm start).

Spa is suffering from a dearth of hookers ahead of Saturday's game.

Dean Goddard may not be fit for Marconi's visit, while long time injury absence Andrew Mann is recovering from knee surgery.

Bailey said: "We are lacking in cover for hookers for the moment.

"Hopefully Dean will be fit, or we will have to change things around."