BEWDLEY returned to the league programme after seven free weeks to lose 26-0 at in their first North Midlands Three return fixture of the season.

They were hoping to change a run of bad form into a win but were thwarted by Greyhound who had valuable recent match practice.

The visitors started the game on the back foot with quick scoring from the boot of the opposition fly-half and an early converted try.

Possession was hard to come by for Bewdley in the first 20 minutes which led to the inevitable second try from the strong Greyhound pack after a quick penalty.

Bewdley knuckled down to the task of trying to claw themselves back into the game and managed to put up a strong defence.

Despite penetrating runs from the backs, especially the in-form Steve Freeman, points were not forthcoming.

The second half was again a story of sturdy defence from Bewdley but no points scored.

Useful work in the line-outs by second row Martin Saunders and hooker Andy Horton led to several chances but the closest was penalised for an offside.

Enforced substitutions found Bewdley slightly disorganised but the defence held out until the final minutes when Greyhound scored another try after several scrums on the five-metre line.

Fixture, Saturday: Clee Hill v Bewdley (friendly).