Edwardians 15 Droitwich 10

Midlands Division Three South (West)

DROITWICH'S hopes of a top two finish took a severe dent as their promotion rivals in the Midlands Division Four West (South) edged them out.

Spa produced their most lacklustre performance for some time as they allowed Edwardians to take control of the game.

Droitwich continually gave the ball away and were unable to carve open a determined opposition.

Spa were forced back into their own half and reduced to desperately clearing the ball. A clearance was charged down by an Edwardians' full back, who powered over to score.

Droitwich weren't allowed to hit back when Edwardians scored a try under the posts and scored a converted penalty.

Matt Blackmore pulled three points back when he scored a penalty.

In the second half Droitwich struggled to hold onto the ball. Substitute Chris Hooper added more attacking thrust to Spa.

Hooper and Phil Horton began to look dangerous, but Edwardians scored a penalty.

Droitwich though searched for a try and Pete Murphy allowed Will Bolton to burst through to score a try, which was converted by Blackmore.

Defeat saw Droitwich to slip to fourth in the table behind Cleobury Mortimer.

However, with a game in hand Droitwich will be looking to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

Spa will be aiming to bounce back emphatically in the league on Saturday, January 28 when they entertainment struggling Old Halesonians at home (2.15pm kick off).

Saturday's opponents are in the bottom half of the table.