Woodrush 7 Evesham 17

WOODRUSH coach Matt Elwell praised his players after a stirring second half show at home to North Mids Two (South) leaders Evesham.

But he admits he was far from delighted with his side's display before the break as the visitors opened up a 12-0 lead.

"It's not often I shout at the players but we didn't perform in the first half and I told the players they needed to improve," Elwell explained.

"But I can honestly say that I was impressed with the second half which we won 7-5."

There was little to choose between the teams in a bruising first half until Evesham bagged a second try with a pushover try on the stroke of half-time.

Ed Learner scored a converted try for the Hopwood side after the break to close the gap to 12-7, flanker Rob Hill providing the telling pass. But Evesham eased to victory with a third try late on.

"That ends a miserable sequence of league matches for us that has seen us take just one point from a possible eight," the Woodrush coach added.

"We have not been beaten heavily, it is just that we have not got into the winning habit. We are proving a difficult side to beat in a competitive league.

"It is difficult for the lads, particularly when, like now, you don't have a league game for two weeks.

"But it does bode well for the future - just a year ago we were getting turned over by these sides, getting beaten by 40-points."

Woodrush go into the fixture pool in search of a friendly this weekend.

Redditch 24 Bredon Star 0

REDDITCH continued to edge away from the foot of the table with this victory over visitors Bredon.

The Bromsgrove Road side started well but it took until midway through the first half for them to open the scoring, a catch and drive from the line-out ending with man of the match Mark Rose powering over. Will Wilson added the conversion.

Redditch extended their lead when centre Joe Alenkna surging under the posts, Wilson again on target with his kick.

But the best try of the match came on the half-hour. Successive forward surges tied in the Breedon defence and some slick handling from the backs resulted in Aaron Atkinson squeezing in at the corner.

Redditch rounded off an excellent half with a fourth try, Tom Saddington going over.

Breedon rallied in the second half but superb defence denied them a way back into the game.

Instead, it was the home side who finished with a flourish and a fantastic move from their own '22' by debutant winger Louis Saddington saw him put a foot in touch before releasing Gareth Davis.

Coach Jimmy Griffin praised the way his team had performed.

"I am very pleased the way in which we approach games and the work and commitment from the players is first class."

Tenbury Wells 18 Kings Norton 7

Kings Norton's promotion aspirations received a massive set back as they were out muscled by a powerful and physical Tenbury outfit.

Matt Eagles twice went close to scoring an early try for the visitors but it was left to fly-half Ken Whitehouse to post Norton's points, ghosted in before adding the conversion.