REDDITCH competed bravely against Coventrians in Saturday’s 34-20 loss in the Midlands Division Four West (South).

Despite scoring three tries, their opponents’ superior fitness levels proved to be the difference.

The visitors dominated the first half hour and built up a 10-point lead as their powerful runners made constant inroads into the Redditch defence.

The hosts managed a good spell in the last 10 minutes of the first period, picking up the tempo and somehow dragging themselves back into the game.

Josh Holt slotted a penalty as Redditch took their first venture into the opposition 22 and moments later added a conversion as the scores were levelled up going into the break after a blindside move exploited some space for Edwin Grey to race over.

Coventrians piled on the pressure in the second half and outscored the home team by four tries to two, ending the game as a contest.

Redditch scored two good tries and continued to play well in patches as they looked for the bonus point.

Tyler Brough claimed his debut first team score at first team level, while Tom Saddington finished an excellent move.

Redditch travel to Coventry Welsh on Saturday looking for more league points.