Woodrush's derby delight (From Redditch Advertiser)

Woodrush's derby delight

2:12pm Monday 14th January 2013 in Sport

Woodrush 26, Redditch 0

WOODRUSH bagged their first win in three league games to record a comfortable derby win over Midlands Division Three West (South) bottom side Redditch on Saturday.

The Wythall-based side cemented their mid-table place in a game that was marred by snow and rain.

There was really only ever one team in it though and the home side overcame the mud to play some attacking open rugby.

Woodrush were without influential fly-half Steve Smart but his stand-in Josh Tomlinson did a sound job and landed two early penalties to give Woodrush a 6-0 lead.

The season's top try scorer so far, winger Lucas Hooper then added to his tally, taking a pass on the 22 yard line and cutting a diagonal line through the Redditch defence to score under the posts.

Tomlinson converted and added a further penalty to make it 16-0 at the turnaround.

It was Hooper again who increased the Woodrush lead early in the second half, collecting a pass on the burst and running through on the outside to score in the corner. The kick was missed.

In the final minutes, second row Luke Russell forced his way over from close range to leave Woodrush desperately trying for the all important fourth try which would have earnt them a bonus point, but it was to no avail.

A satisfactory result, given the conditions, but many felt the score would have been higher on firm ground.

Woodrush are at home to the side directly below them in the table, Old Wheatlyans, on Saturday (2.15pm ko) in a match re-arranged from December 22.

Redditch have a week off from the league, which they resume at home to third-placed Pershore on Saturday, January 26.

Defeat means Redditch are 13 points behind Ledbury, who are third from bottom and just outside the relegation zone.