A CHANGE of kit proved to be a lucky charm for Droitwich Spa RFC First XV as they produced their best performance of the season to destroy Shipston-on-Stour.

Spa were forced to turn their yellow and black kit inside out for last Saturday's match after a colour clash with their opponents.

And the new white strip seemed to do the trick as Julian Bailey's side turned on the style. Jamie Faulkener went over for three tries and Matt Blackmore made all but one of his goal kicks.

The director of rugby was delighted with his team's performance, saying that everything came together on the day.

He said: "We played a good standard of rugby for longer periods of time and the score reflects that.

"We have been good in parts in all the other matches but it's the first game where all 15 players played really well and for each other and it gelled together."

And he joked: "The lads seemed to like the white kit so we might stick to it."

Bailey also picked out Phil Horton (pictured, above) and Ian Craig as men of the match.

In superb conditions the lightweight Droitwich pack began the game at a lively pace, forcing the visitors back into their own 22-metre area.

Blackmore opened the scoring with a well struck penalty although Shipston soon hit back with one of their own. The reliable Blackmore then restored Spa's lead with a fine effort from 40 metres.

Good lineout work by Ian Craig, outstanding throughout, then set up Tom Childs to burst over.

The hosts were now on top, but the referee took exception to some of the rucking, despite Shipston's intent to slow the ball down. Full back Ben Cottrell was subsequently sin-binned for a stamping offence.

This seemed to inspire Droitwich who scored a second try through the effervescent Faulkener. It was more of the same after the break as the home pack made inroads all over the field,with veteran back row forward Jon Andrews particularly impressive.

Captain Nick Irwin rounded off a good move to score, as did Jon Fideo, before the irrepressible Faulkener carved the defence apart to run in his second and third tries.