A DISPLAY of power and strength failed to earn Cleobury Mortimer the result it deserved as they fell 20-9 at unbeaten Willenhall in Midlands Four West (North).

Though results have not gone the way the firsts may have liked, performances have been very good.

Saturday's display was no different as a settled side travelled away to a club used to this grade of rugby with high hopes of an upset.

Willenhall settled their nerves with an early penalty but it was soon equalised with a Colin Smith strike.

The essential difference between the sides was the home side's converted try midway through the half.

As the interval approached, the two kickers again exchanged penalties to maintain the seven-point difference at 13-6.

The second half saw Cleobury much more in the ascendancy as they spent long periods camped inside the Willenhall 22-metre area.

Unfortunately, the home defence held firm and refused to buckle in the face of the onslaught and the only score came again from the boot of Smith.

Having reduced the arrears to a four-point margin, Cleobury pressed for the try that would give them the game.

But as caution was increasingly thrown to the wind, Willenhall broke out to score a second converted try right on the final whistle.

Club training contines on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7pm.