REDDITCH RFC started the new season with a 43-17 defeat against Evesham 2nds in the Counties 4 Midlands West (South) division.
The Kingfishers handed first-team debuts to five players and made a superb start to take the lead on 17 minutes when Nathan Marthews crossed for the opening score with Will Spires adding the conversion.
Redditch weathered an early storm, with Evesham’s backs dropping several balls, before the home side eventually broke free only for visiting captain Aaron Atkinson to make an outstanding tackle on the full-back.
Atkinson made another excellent tackle to prevent a try before Evesham ran in unopposed out wide and struck again soon after to score their second unconverted try to take the lead.
However, Redditch fought back in the final few minutes of the half, as a string of penalties aided their cause, with Marthews crossing for his second try after some sustained pressure to hand the Kingfishers a two-point lead at the break.
Evesham improved after the interval and crossed for two quickfire tries after spinning the ball out wide from a couple of well-worked lineouts.
The Kingfishers were forced into changes as injuries and tiredness began to take its toll and Evesham made the most of another penalty to kick for position and then score a converted try from the resulting lineout.
Evesham stretched their lead to 36-12 with another score soon after before Atkinson crossed for a superb try as he produced three strong hand-offs to touch down in the corner.
However, the home side would have the last laugh after turning the ball over in midfield before racing through to score under the posts.
Despite the result, Redditch can take plenty of positives from the fixture having shown courage in defence and some promising attacking play whilst all the debutants acquitted themselves well.
Redditch are next in action at home to Droitwich 2nds on Saturday, September 10 with kick-off at 3pm at Bromsgrove Road.
