CLEOBURY Mortimer's Powergen Junior Vase preparations were hit by a pre-Twickenham 25-5 defeat to Droitwich in Midlands Division Four West South.

It completed a double for Droitwich who were buzzing with Confidence after conquering Cleobury in the reverse fixture the previous weekend.

Luke Price grabbed the Mortimer men's consolation try.

Spokesman Dave Hinves admitted that it had been impossible to put the excitement of the April 9 final with Dorking to one side over the past month.

He said: "With the distraction of Twickenham only two-weeks away players are not willing to risk injury by putting their body on the line so much.

"Everyone else wants to claim the scalp of the side who have got to the final.

"Next week the players are having a rest as the friendly fixtures that were planned have been cancelled."