Dudley K'winford Crusaders 15

Redditch Exiles 19

This regular fixture doubled as a memorial for the DK's second row Mike Marsh who died following a short illness at the end of last season.

In a game more memorable for errors than skills, it was always going to be the team that made the least mistakes that would come out on top.

DK opened the scoring after creating an overlap but the Exiles replied when, at a line out, Paul Buck broke free, swapped passes with Dave Smith and then touched down with Darren Field converting.

Lol Doughty sent Mike Passmore free to score straight from the kick off before the home side went over shortly afterwards to reduce Redditch's lead to 12-10.

Tempers began to fray resulting in a couple of minor incidents but it was DK who were more distracted and the Exiles steadily applied the pressure which resulted in Jimmy Griffin powering his way under the posts.

The second half was not a great showcase of rugby as a continuous stream of DK replacements disrupted the rhythm.

The home side went over for an unconverted try to make the score 19-15 but some good work from full-back Cresswell and half-backs Cardy and Fulton kept Redditch ahead.

The pack creaked under pressure a couple of times but did not buckle, even when Dick Redcar was forced off through injury they held out to the end without conceding a scrum to the heavier opposition.

Man of the match was Mike Passmore.