Redditch 24 Handsworth 0

A BRACE of tries from Andy Irvine helped steer Redditch to another vital win in their fight to climb away from the relegation places.

Joe Alekna also went over for the home side with Will Wilson adding the extra points against a Handsworth side rooted to the foot of the table.

The first 20 minutes was a tight affair with the visitors having the better of the play.

But it was Redditch who broke the deadlock when Alekna, who had one of his best games for the Bromsgrove Road side, powered through to score under the posts with Wilson licking the conversion.

The home side grew in stature after the break and man of the match Gareth Davis proved a constant threat.

The visitors were being forced into mistakes and one of these led to Irvine reacting the quicker and touching down for the second converted try.

Wilson then kicked a penalty to extend the lead and Redditch were now in control, setting up wave after wave of exciting back play.

Irvine scored his second, cutting a great line straight off the training pitch. Will Wilson again converted.

Redditch could have added to their tally but had to settle for their 24-0 win.

Coach Jimmy Griffin admitted he was pleased with the nature of the win.

He said: "I am very pleased with our style of play. We were again solid in defence and our set pieces are beginning to come together.

"We have a good blend of experience and youth and the team is responding well to how we want to play games.

"We are trying to take the fear out of our game and to be comfortable anywhere on the pitch both in attack and defence."

Bredon Star 8 Kings Norton 16

Despite going a man down after 17 minutes when their prop forward was red carded, Bredon ran their visitors close in this entertaining game.

Kings Norton had to work very hard for their second away victory but secured the win to regain third spot behind Evesham and Upton.

Fly-half Ken Whitehouse scored all 16 points with his full repertoire of a converted try, two penalties and a dropped goal.

Kings opened brightly and attacked Bredon from the kick-off. The home side defended well but eventually conceded a penalty after 15 minutes.

Bredon drew level with a penalty but Whitehouse then showed individual speed as he raced through to score a fine try under the posts which he converted himself.

Although Kings dominated the scrums, Bredon still managed to get ball to their dangerous threequarter line and the Ash Lane defence was sorely tested.

Bredon's out-of-form kicker missed two penalties before Whitehouse slotted his second of the half following an excellent period of unstoppable driving forward play.

With his side leading 13-3, Kings coach Ian Jackson introduced Richard Gibb for winger John Hefford and the visitors continued to apply the pressure.

Norton prop Phil Cooksey was sin binned and Bredon took advantage with an excellent try.

But Kings constantly pressurised the home side and it was left to Whitehouse to complete the scoring with a measured dropped goal in the final minute.

There are no league games this weekend but Alcester will be hoping for a return to winning ways when they play host to Harbury (ko 2.15pm) in a friendly.