DROITWICH Spa kick-started their preparations for the 2005/2006 season by reaching the semi-finals of their own ten-a-side tournament on Saturday. BALL RUNNER: Droitwich RFC's ten-a-side tournament was packed with action on Saturday.

The hosts braved torrential rain at the Glynn Mitchell Memorial Ground to win their group stage.

However, they met their match when they lost to Gloucestershire's Coney Hill in the semi-final stage.

Coney Hill went onto win the tournament by defeating Malvern in the final.

Bridgnorth won the Plate competition after getting the better of a War Pigs side made up of old boys from Cardiff University.

Director of rugby Julian Bailey was pleased with the work-out his side got.

He said: "It was a tough work for the players because the conditions were so atrocious.

"But the lads all came through it with flying colours."

Bailey believes that the morale at the club has been lifted by the arrival of new coach Nick Tisdale.

Tisdale, who joined Spa from Stourbridge in July, has done his best to give a squad which finished bottom of the Division Three West (South) a much needed boost.

He said: "Things are going very well. There is a real buzz.

"Nick has really got all the players very enthusiastic.

"It's hard to say how well we do, but the work we are doing on the training pitch bodes well for the coming season."

Pre-season preparations for the Division Four West (South) step up on Saturday, August 20 when Droitwich take on Hereford at home (3pm start).

Bailey said: "They are a good side and they will give us a good work-out.

"We have looked sharp in training, but there's a difference between fitness and match sharpness.

"This will be a good chance to work on all our set plays and also improve our fitness."