REDDITCH RFC saw their three-game winning run come to an end after the Kingfishers slipped to a 19-17 defeat at home to Warley.
The home side came away with a losing bonus point as a score from Mickey Adams and a penalty try saw Redditch’s second-half comeback attempt fall short at Bromsgrove Road.
And the result means the Kingfishers sit fifth in the Counties 4 Midlands West (South) table.
Warley crossed for the game’s first try after their fly-half’s sweeping run cut Redditch’s defensive line in half with the score converted.
And the visitors scored a fortuitous second try after a Redditch clearing kick ricocheted into the hands of a Warley player to touch down.
The Kingfishers reduced the deficit when Adams charged over the line and Archie Beddard converted after the latter fielded a number of kicks and returned the ball with interest.
However, Warley went into the break with a 19-7 lead, scoring from a quick tap penalty after the referee penalised Redditch at a scrum.
The home side improved after the interval and won a series of penalties early in the second half as Beddard kicked a penalty to close the gap between the two teams.
And the referee had no choice but to award Redditch a penalty try soon after with the Warley full-back penalised as Kingfishers pair Will Heath and debutant Joe Morgan looked to touch down in the corner.
With the gap now down to two points and with the Warley full-back in the sin bin, the home side tried to make the most of the man advantage.
However, the Kingfishers narrowly missed with a penalty attempt before Heath looked set to race in from 50-metres out only to be tackled inches from the line.
Warley almost denied the home side a losing bonus point at the death with the referee chalking off a late try for the visitors after spotting a double movement.
Redditch are next in action at home to Malvern II on Saturday, November 4 at Bromsgrove Road.
