REDDITCH RFC surrendered a 10-point lead in an agonising 25-23 defeat against Stourport.
The home side missed a late conversion attempt to level the game after Rory Allen, Richie Beddard and Will Spires crossed for tries at Bromsgrove Road.
And the result means Redditch sit eighth in the Counties 4 Midlands West (South) table.
Stourport raced into an eight-point lead after kicking an early penalty before scoring the game’s first try on the blindside out wide.
Redditch responded by forcing Stourport to concede a series of penalties which created space for Allen to touch down in the corner with Will Heath converting well from the touchline.
Beddard kicked a penalty to draw Redditch level and continued to use his powerful boot to gain territory and pin Stourport back.
And the Kingfishers forced Beddard over the line for the home side’s second try before the same player kicked a penalty to give Redditch a 10-point lead at the break.
However, Stourport responded after the break and scored three quickfire tries to turn the game in their favour and secure a bonus point.
The Kingfishers scored their third try with five minutes left to play through Spires on the overlap only for the conversion to travel wide to leave Stourport two points ahead.
Despite a valiant effort, the home side had to settle for a losing bonus point as the Kingfishers suffered a sixth straight defeat in the league.
Redditch finish the year away at Upton-on-Severn on Saturday, December 16 with kick-off at 2.15pm at Banwell Park.
