RAMPANT Redditch took another giant stride towards survival in Midlands Four West South by securing a pleasing 32-7 success over Pershore.

Redditch steadily ground down Pershore’s pack before the Saddington brothers combined to open the scoring, Lewis Saddington setting up brother Tom to weave his way over with Sam Gladwin supplying the conversion.

But Redditch were then guilty of allowing Pershore straight back into the game, levelling matters within a minute when they scored on the overlap.

Stung by that score, Redditch produced a constant wave of attacks which was finally rewarded with a second try before half time, Jack Duffy sacking his opposite number after Pershore had won their own scrummage ball and the alert John Wormington was on hand to pick up the loose ball and send Nathan Marthews over to score.

Pershore produce more fight at the start of second half exchanges but could make little headway against Redditch’s stubborn defence.

Instead it was relentless Redditch attacking that paid off when a sweet switch move gave Sam Gladwin the chance to add a third try.

It didn’t take long to add a bonus point try, when following a break from clean won line-out ball saw the back row pile over the line with Marthews again claiming the spoils.

Gladwin added to the total with a penalty as Pershore were repeatedly punished for some rash decision as they found themselves down to 14 men on no less than four occasions.

Tom Saddington was the architect of the final score, shipping the ball out to the eager Matt Allen who raced over to score from 40 metres out which Gladwin duly converted.

Redditch also fielded a Second XV this week who lost out 15-5 to Stourbridge Lions but such were the pitch conditions that it was difficult to distinguish who was playing for which of the sides!

In the meantime, Redditch have no league fixture in the coming weeks and will try to fill the gap with some friendly fixtures.