AN INJURY crisis forced Droitwich Spa First XV to forfeit their place in the North Midlands Cup.

Spa were missing eight key players, including a entire front row, ahead of their second round match at Midlands One Luctonians last Saturday, leaving director of rugby Julian Bailey with no choice but to concede the match.

Bailey called the match off after training on Tuesday, February 3, following injuries to Phil Horton (shoulder), Dean Goddard (shoulder), Paul Bowditch, John Fidoe (ankle) and Matt Blackmore (thumb) from the previous Saturday's 7-5 defeat at Shipston. Long-term casualties captain Nick Irwin (thigh) and Nick Godfrey (ribs) were also missing.

Bailey said: "I could not field a front row. They (Luctonians) are a strong side and I couldn't go there with a third string, it would not have been fair on the lads."

Irwin and Godfrey will both miss this Saturday's home Midlands Three west (South) match with Old Coventrians but the others should be fit.

No first team action gave the Seconds their chance to shine and they responded with an emphatic 54-10 victory against Pershore at Kidderminster in the Kidderminster Seconds Cup last Sunday.

Pete Denby scored a couple of tries en route to handing Spa a semi-final berth and there were also good displays from full back Max Spurgeon, captain Pete Gurr and Stuart Brookes.