Southam 22 Redditch 20

Redditch began in tremendous style attacking from the kick off and launching strikes from the backs and forwards.

Eventually the pressure told and Redditch were awarded a penalty in the fifth

minute, converted by Wilson.

The visitors attacked again from the re-start with the forwards supplying good quality possession.

Inside centre Nicky Foster powered through his opposite number, shrugged off two more tackles and raced 20 metres to score under the posts, Wilson

converting.

Redditch were awarded another penalty after 20 minutes, which Wilson converted.

Southam reorganised keeping the ball in the forwards and driving upfield.

After 25 minutes, the Southam forwards drove off a line out before moving the ball out wide for the winger to score. The conversion was missed.

Players on both sides were lectured as tempers frayed before the referee finally lost his patience, and sin-binned Redditch winger Andy Irvine for an argument with his opposite number.

But the Kingfishers continued to take the game to Southam and deft handling was rewarded with a try for outside centre Gareth Davies on the stroke of half time, Wilson converting for Redditch to lead 20-5 at the break.

The second half started with Southam continuing their arduous but effective

tactic of moving the ball through the forwards.

Irvine's 10 minute sin-bin, which had one minute to run

in the second half, continued for five despite protests from

the Redditch bench as Southam scored in the corner.

To add insult to injury, the conversion hit the post and bounced over.

A series of questionable decisions outraged both sides before Redditch betrayed their inexperience.

Instead of controlling the ball and playing percentage rugby, they continued to attack but Southam levelled with five minutes to go.

The Southam kicker missed his first conversion attempt but the referee asked for the

kick to be re-taken as Redditch had charged early and the second effort sailed over.