Redditch 5 Harbury 53
Midlands Four West (South)
THE KINGFISHERS remain without a point after four matches after failing to recover from an early try-blitz from Saturday’s visitors, who maintained their 100 per cent record.
The south Warwickshire side scored three tries in the opening ten minutes as Redditch were barely able to get their hands on the ball.
Once Redditch were able to garner some possession, they looked threatening, and thought they had earned some reward when Nathan Marthews crossed the whitewash for what appeared to be a perfectly good try, but it was disallowed as the referee failed to see the grounding.
Harbury scored two more tries to lead 27-0 at the break and it was harsh on the home side for whom Lewis Saddington impressed at fly half and Josh Kearney carried the ball powerfully.
The Kingfishers registered their only points shortly into the second half when hooker Josh Renowden produced a determined charge from a lineout to cross the try-line.
Despite the emphatic scoreline, there were some positives for the Bromsgrove Road club in what could become a long season as the pack held their own in the set pieces but lost too much possession in the loose, although John Wormington worked tirelessly in rucks to win it back.
Man of the match Saddington led by example with his passing and kicking but in the final analysis Harbury were just too good.
With virtually a whole side out injured, Redditch should be commended for giving their high-flying opposition a decent game.
On Saturday the Kingfishers visit Pershore, who are also without a point to their name.
REDDITCH 2nds were beaten 47-10 by visitors Stourbridge Lions 3rds in their first Merit Table ‘match’ of the season, having seen the first two end in walkovers after opposition cry-offs.
Despite a comfortable margin of defeat, there was no disgrace on depleted Redditch who host Clee Hill in the Merit Table this weekend, whilst the Exiles travel to Chaddesley Corbett.
