DROITWICH SPA 48 HARBURY 12

Midlands Four West (South)

DROITWICH opened their league campaign with an impressive victory over newly promoted Harbury on Saturday.

Spa, who were relegated from Division Three in April, made sure that they kicked the losing habit that they fell prey to last season.

Director of coaching Julian Bailey was pleased with the result

He said: "It was important to win our first game.

"There were a few errors but on the whole it was a very encouraging performance."

The visitors made all the early running, but Droitwich opened the scoring against the run of play when Matt Blackmore scored a penalty.

Blackmore was orchestrating Droitwich's best attacking move and he set up Ben Cottrell for a 70-metre run and touch down.

Spa were pegged back when they failed to clear a Harbury attack and conceded a try.

But they hit back emphatically in the second half.

Jon Andrews was ensuring that Spa kept possession and winger Jamie Faulkener ran in two tries.

Captain Nick Godfrey also scored when good Droitwich pressure disrupted an opposition scrum.

Blackmore made a late break to find debutante number eight Jimmy Richardson on his shoulder to touchdown.

Cottrell added his second try of the game and should have completed a hat trick but dropped the ball over the line.

In injury time an intelligent Blackmore chip was seized on by Leon Hopkins to complete an excellent display by Droitwich.

Hooker Dean Goddard is set to have recovered from a knee injury in time for Saturday, September 17's Powergen Vase game away at North Derbyshire.

Bailey said: "Derbyshire have a pretty big pack so it's going to be a tough game."