REDDITCH RFC made a losing start to the New Year after suffering a 41-12 defeat against league leaders Kings Norton.
The Kingfishers scored two tries courtesy of Jack Mertens and John Board while Elliot Williams kicked a conversion for the visitors at Ash Lane.
And the result means Redditch sit ninth in the Counties 4 Midlands West (South) table.
King Norton took the lead after kicking an early penalty and then crossed for a converted try under the posts.
Redditch pushed the home side back thereafter with sustained pressure in the Kings Norton half.
And the Kingfishers crossed for their first try when Mertens won a foot race to dot down after Redditch kicked a loose ball over the Kings Norton try line.
A couple of try-saving tackles from Rory Allen kept Redditch in the contest while Mark Green and Mertens continued to punch holes in the Kings Norton defence.
However, the home side eventually crossed for a second converted try and kicked a penalty before the break to leave the Kingfishers trailing by 15 points at the interval.
Redditch frustrated the hosts at the start of the second period as Dave Ingram inspired the visiting pack.
However, Kings Norton ran in two quickfire tries to take the game out of Redditch’s reach.
The Kingfishers scored a second try and Board broke the line and touched down with Williams adding the extras.
However, King Norton scored the game’s final try as the Kingfishers suffered a fifth straight defeat.
Redditch are next in action against Old Halesonians II on Saturday, January 24 with kick-off at 2.15pm at Bromsgrove Road.
