REDDITCH Rugby club saw off near neighbours Five Ways Old Edwardians in their final league fixture to sit proudly at the top of North Midlands One.

But despite the Kingfishers' impressive performances, the title - and even an instant return to Midlands Four West South - seem unlikely propositions.

Mark Rose's side had to win their last game to have a chance of a top two finish and did so in style with Mark Morris and Carl Smith going over and Wil Wilson kicking two penalties in a 16-0 win.

Now the Kingfishers have to be content to sit and watch developments over the next fortnight.

With previous leaders Veyseyans losing a nailbiting clash at title-hopefuls Yardley, Redditch ended the day top of the table with an outside chance of the title.

The catch is that there are two sides with games in hand and both can overtake Redditch if they remain unbeaten because of vastly superior points differences.

The Bromsgrove Road side need a top two finish to ensure bouncing back into the league they were relegated from last season and will be anxiously watching the fortunes of third placed Yardley, who have one game to play, and fifth placed Edwardians, who have two to complete.

If both their rivals slip-up Redditch win the championship, if one trips up Redditch will be promoted as runners-up.

But if both win their remaining games Redditch finish third and miss promotion and, cruelly for Rose's team, the fixtures in question are against two of the league's poorest performers.

Yardley and Edwardians both face whipping boys Warley, but Redditch fans will be lifted by the fact the already relegated bottom team picked up their first win - and points - of the season against lowly Bishops Castle at the weekend.

And to add insult to injury Edwardians' other match is against third from bottom Castle.

Yardley face Warley in their final fixture at the weekend with Edwardians taking on Bishops Castle and Edwardians complete their league programme at Warley on the last Saturday of the month.