NEWLY-promoted Cleobury Mortimer's tough introduction to life in Midlands Four West South continued when they suffered their second successive defeat, going down 20-25 to Old Halesonians on Saturday.
They trailed 8-5 at half time despite taking the lead inside 10 minutes when last season's top scorer Paul Hulland grabbed a pushover try.
Old Halesonians, relegated to this level in the summer, hit back with a penalty and took the lead with an unconverted try.
The second period saw the experienced visitors move the ball about through forwards and backs at ease and add two converted tries and a further penalty all without response.
At 5-25 down, the Mortimer men rallied to stage a late fightback that fell agonisingly short of overhauling the visitors.
Centre John Hulland finished off an excellent move from the Cleobury backs to spark the revival before Willie Bache dummied his way over the line, and Allan Shields chased a kick to touch down - making up for an earlier disallowed effort.
But with all of the conversions failing, Cleobury were left ruing a missed opportunity to put their first league points on the board.
Cleobury will face a tough task getting off the mark when they visit table-topping Edwardians on Saturday.
The Mortimer men will entertain Stoke OB in the Powergen Junior Vase round two on Saturday October 15 after defeating Five Ways OE in the previous round.
l Cleobury's pitch at Love Lane has been shortened to allow facilities to be moved in readiness for the completion of a new playing field early next season.
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