Droitwich 23 Berkswell and Balsall 5

Midlands Division Four West (South)

DROITWICH made an impressive start to 2006 by trouncing Berkswell and Balsall at the Glynn Mitchell Memorial ground on Saturday. Two Droitwich players ambush a Berkswell and Balsall attacker on Saturday.

Victory helped the team take a step to cementing third place in the Midlands Division Four West (South).

Spa went into their first match since the festive break in high spirits after the news that the club had signed a £100,000 five-year deal with new shirt sponsors Persimmon Homes.

Despite strong winds and the threat of snow Droitwich was still the better side and took the game to Berkswell.

Matt Blackmore's intelligent kicking was giving Droitwich some useful positions, before he broke the deadlock with a penalty.

A second penalty hit a post, but the alert Simon Pearce caught it and scored under the posts for a try converted by Blackmore.

In the second half Droitwich continued to probe for an opening, with Steve Poke and Blackmore leading the way with some strong runs.

Blackmore grabbed two penalties to extend Spa's lead to 16-0.

Despite their Warwickshire opponent's grabbing a try Spa never allowed their grip on the game to slip.

Good passing my Ben Cotterell and Phil Horton allowed Chris Hooper to break from 50-metres out and score the try.

The home side had to weather some late pressure by Berkswell but held out for a fine victory to usher in the New Year.

Droitwich take on Kidderminster in a friendly away on Saturday, January 14.