REDDITCH RFC suffered a last gasp 16-14 defeat away at Bishops Castle and Onny Valley after the home side kicked a late penalty.
The Kingfishers led in the closing stages courtesy of Aaron Atkinson’s try while Archie Beddard added nine points from the kicking tee.
However, Bishops Castle snatched the points with a penalty at the death with Redditch forced to settle for a losing bonus point at Love Lane.
And the result means Redditch sit eighth in the Counties 4 Midlands West (South) table.
The home side made a bright start and scored the game’s opening try on the right wing following some direct running at the Kingfishers defence.
Beddard reduced the deficit with a penalty kick although Redditch were left frustrated after dominating at the scrum and gaining several metres without managing to score a try.
A penalty for a high tackle allowed the home side to stretch their lead to five points before the Kingfishers took a scrum penalty with the last play of the half, instead of a kick at goal, which came to nothing.
However, Beddard edged Redditch into the lead with a couple of successful penalty attempts only for the home team to reclaim the lead with a try from a quick tap penalty.
The Kingfishers crossed for their only try soon after as Atkinson charged down an attempted clearing kick before diving on the loose ball to score and put the visitors back in front.
However, after Bishops Castle worked their way back up the pitch from the restart, the home side kicked a penalty in the dying moments to deny the Kingfishers a first away win since October.
Redditch are next in action away at Upton-on-Severn on Saturday, January 20 with kick-off at 2.15pm at Banwell Park.
