REDDITCH RFC pushed league leaders Birmingham Exiles all the way as the Kingfishers suffered a 27-19 defeat in their first away game of the season.
Second-half tries from Matt Allen, Jon Beale and Richard Beddard proved in vain against a clinical Exiles side who extended their perfect start to the season at Old Damson Lane.
And the result means Redditch sit eighth in the Counties 4 Midlands West (South) table.
The home side raced into a 10-point lead via a penalty and converted try before running in two more tries before the break to leave the Kingfishers 22 points behind at the interval.
However, the scoreline flattered the hosts and Redditch immediately reduced the deficit after the restart as captain Allen powered over and Will Spires converted following a goalline dropout.
Exiles conceded a staggering 10 penalties in the opening quarter of the second half and the Kingfishers struck again when Beale was first to touch down Allen’s delicate chip forward.
However, Exiles scored their fourth try against the run of play in the dying moments as Redditch began to make mistakes with time running out.
The Kingfishers had the final say as Beddard drove the ball over the try line and under the posts with Spires kicking the conversion.
Redditch are next in action at home to Bishops Castle and Onny Valley on Saturday, September 30 with kick-off at 3pm at Bromsgrove Road.
