A 22-man squad was given a run-out as Cleobury Mortimer lost a training match 10-7 to rivals Bridgnorth.

Cleobury were preparing for a tough encounter with Shrewsbury next Saturday and made plenty of substitutions to try out different positions and combinations.

The Midlands Four West (North) side started on the back foot with Bridgnorth much the stronger.

Their back division shaded the early stages with speed and invention but Cleobury gained the upper hand in the forwards.

In the only score of the first half, a series of passes found the home side's Colin Todd who grounded the ball in the corner with the help of Hylton Smith.

Colin Smith added a superb conversion from the touch-line and the confidence returned to Cleobury's players in an end-to-end contest.

At 7-0 up and now able to use the slope, Cleobury were confident of further scores but a successful penalty kick just after the re-start gave the visitors the boost they required.

This was shortly followed by a determined attack and series of drives which was finished off with a sprint to the posts and a conversion to leave Bridgnorth leading 10-7.

Mistakes were appearing all over the pitch but Cleobury mustered an excellent break late in the game.

Tom Griffiths kicked ahead and followed up as the ball was spilled but a difficult bounce deceived him and team-mate Richard Skidmore.

But with so many players having a run out for Cleobury, the match proved a useful exercise.