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Droitwich 28 – Stourbridge Lions 12

Sunday, September 3, 2006

Despite the gale force winds on Saturday, Droitwich and Stourbridge Lions managed to provide an entertaining friendly fixture. With the elements in their favour the visitors opened the scoring when confusion in the Droitwich midfield allowed a score under the posts. Good inter-passing and a neat break by Craig Burgess allowed back-row forward Jon Andrews to crash over. Stourbridge then extended their lead with a try out wide.

In the second-half Droitwich began to assert control; a good lineout take by Phil Horton was driven forward for Nick Godfrey to drive over. Shortly afterwards, livewire Leon Hopkins hit the line at pace to scorch over. Sean Walker added another touchdown before Godfrey got his second out wide.

Satisfied with his team's first game of the season, Droitwich captain Dean Goddard added “the conditions obviously made it a game of two halves. But we stuck to our game plan and things went well. Hopefully this will stand us in good stead for the league campaign.”

Droitwich will be hoping for good things this season. There is a new captain in the shape of 24 year old Dean Goddard – a product of the club’s junior section; and a new coach – the vastly experienced Danny Protherough, whose coaching career has taken in spells at National League sides Moseley and Birmingham / Solihull. Also, on the playing side, Droitwich have signed Duncan Hughes - a former Stourbridge and North Midlands captain, who will add experience to a very young side. There is also a change in Director of Rugby, where old campaigner Jon Andrews takes up the role. His knowledge and commitment will be a bonus for the Spa side.

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