Rugby: Powergen Junior Vase

Old Saltleians 25 Redditch 5

REDDITCH never really got going in this cup match against their opponents from a higher league.

Perhaps it was the earlier kick off time that caused the Redditch backs to miss the move which resulted in an overlap to send the winger in at the corner after only five minutes.

Redditch did claw themselves back into the game and began to produce some reasonable rugby resulting in winger Tom Elmes finishing off a fine move to score on the quarter-hour. But Jamie Rodden's tricky conversion attempt hit the post in the blustery wind.

Redditch were proving more than a match for their opponents in most areas of the game apart from the scrum. Unfortunately they could not get sufficient quality ball to the backs to cause the opposition any trouble.

The Salts' pack continued to thwart the Kingfishers and some foul play resulted in a spell in the sin bin for one of the second rows.

But Redditch could not make the advantage count and opted to kick a number of unsuccessful penalties when perhaps going for the lineout would have been a better option.

Salts showed the way when, despite their disadvantage, they drove a lineout over the Redditch line to make the half-time score 10-5.

The second half started badly for Redditch as they lost influential scrum half Neil Hodgkins with a dislocated shoulder just after the start.

Ed Gray stood in admirably but the visitors missed Hodgkins' work-rate around the breakdowns.

The half progressed much the same as the first with Redditch failing to make the best use of limited quality possession.

In contrast the home side scored two more tries and kicked a conversion and penalty to ease through to the next round.

The score flattered Saltleians and was more a testimony to what Redditch did not do. This was a game Redditch could have and should have won but a lack of discipline coupled with complacency contributed to the worst performance of the season.

No players stood out although Gray was awarded man of the match.

Redditch Exiles drew 0-0 with Nemo XV despite dominating much of the game.

Buck and Hemmings excelled at the line-out while half-backs Cardy and Thomas also performed well without ever getting their reward.

The Exiles will be hoping to trouble the scorer this weekend when they take on Evesham.

Redditch return to league action this weekend when they head to Evesham.

And teenager Tom Saddington looks set for his first team debut, coming in at centre following a string of fine displays for the seconds.

The Kingfishers will be without injured Neil Hodgkins while Ed Gray and Chris Oldfield are unavailable due to work commitments.