Woodrush 3

Redditch 19

IT was Redditch who came out on top in this keenly fought cup clash.

But it needed the pin-point accuracy of Wil Wilson's kicking to book their place in the draw for the next round.

Wilson, called into the side as a last minute replacement, slotted over four penalties and a conversion for a personal 14-point tally against rivals Woodrush.

The Forhill side had taken the honours when the teams met in their North Mids One (South) game at the start of the season and Woodrush coach Matt Ellwell is confident his side will bounce back and claim the bragging rights in the return game in March.

"We have already beaten them in the league and that is where it counts," Ellwell said.

"I rested a number of players because of having such a small squad but I'm confident we will win when we meet at the end of the season.

"To be honest, Redditch were the better side on the day.

"They came with a boring game plan and stuck to it. But the cup has to be their main priority due to their position in the league.

"Every time they had the ball they kicked it to touch. We tried to run the ball and probably paid the price for trying to play too much."

There was little to choose between the sides for much of the first half with a Wilson penalty being matched by a Martin Leech kick for the home side.

But with a number of refereeing decisions going against the home side, Redditch began to take control of the game.

Redditch skipper Stan Hull said: "We were the better side but Woodrush seemed to lose their discipline as decisions went against them."

The visitors capped their winning display with a try from Joe Alekna following a move straight off the training field. Andy Irvine powered his way through the middle and when he was held up just short of the line, Alekna was on hand to gather the ball and dive over.

Redditch had Gareth Davies back in the side for the cup game and skipper Hull is hopeful the influential Neil Hodgkins will soon be making his return after surgery on his shoulder.

The Bromsgrove Road side are due to face Staffordshire side Essington in a friendly at home on Saturday.