AN EXCELLENT effort from Cleobury Mortimer saw them run higher-ranked visitors Shrewsbury close in a 12-0 Intermediate Cup first round defeat.

Cleobury, two divisions below their Shropshire rivals, had a solid look with Julian Harding restored to centre and Richard Skidmore back on the wing.

With Rob Kirtons replacing the injured Matthew Barnsley at hooker, Cleobury pushed their more illustrious opponents off the ball at many set scrums.

But the pressure in the front row meant the home side rarely got a clean strike of the ball and they were guilty of turning possession over too easily.

Colin Smith missed three difficult penalty opportunities and skipper Willie Bache was narrowly wide with a wind-assisted drop goal.

As the game became a forward battle, the visitors took the lead just before the break through a try from their centre after a ruck.

In the second half, Tom Griffiths produced an excellent run that was halted near line.

But without penalties in dangerous field positions, they were always susceptible to the counter attack.

And so it proved when Shrewsbury grabbed a second try near the posts which was converted to complete their victory.