« Previous | Latest News | Next »

Droitwich 7 - Barkers Butts 20

Saturday, September 11, 2004

Droitwich faced a Barkers Butts side, who had been relegated in the previous two seasons, at the Glynn Mitchell Memorial Ground in perfect playing conditions.

Droitwich gave a debut to new scrum-half Gareth Cogan and recalled full-back Ben Cottrell to replace the injured Andy Pinches (broken wrist). There were also call-ups for front row forward Dean Goddard and veteran prop Paul Bowditch.

After an even first 15 minutes Barkers went seven nil ahead through a well worked converted try in the backs. Droitwich, though, bounced straight back putting the Barkers forwards under constant pressure with young hooker Andrew Manns playing exceptionally in his second start of the season. Droitwich gained the breakthrough with a Jethro Tedman try ten minutes before the break. Tedman picked the ball up from the back of a ruck, found a gap in the Barkers defence and went over from close range for Droitwich skipper Matt Blackmore to convert. At half-time Droitwich were level at seven all.

The second half began promisingly for Droitwich with the Droitwich backs looking lively, but an experienced and dominant forward display from Barkers proved too much for the Droitwich pack.

Barkers ran in another try and kicked two penalties to take a well fought match by both teams, twenty points to seven.

Section Navigation