Woodrush 15, Southam 23

WOODRUSH’S title hopes in the Midlands Division Three West (South) were dented after they were edged out by mid-table Southam.

Jon Cadman and Evan Byrne made their debuts in a much-changed line-up from the previous week at Harbury and their influence in the set-piece was immediately noticeable.

Despite Woodrush dominating up front, they could not translate possession into points and missed opportunities to produce a line break.

Southam defended very aggressively and, with their first attack of the game, scored wide on the left which they converted.

The pattern of the game continued in much the same vein, but the home side seemed strangely uncomfortable with ball in hand, a fact which the visitors capitalised on.

A further penalty to Southam sawWoodrush go into the break with a 10-0 deficit.

With the lion’s share of the penalty decisions going to the Warwickshire men, a further converted try after 50 minutes appeared to put the game beyond the hosts.

Woodrush elected to narrow their game, using their impressive forwards to carry hard through the phases and a rare penalty in the middle of the park meant Luke Sinclair could kick to touch for a line-out ten metres from the Southam line.

The subsequent catch and drive was effective and Byrne rose triumphant to claim his first score for the club.

Southam scored a penalty to extend their lead but two tries from the impressive Simon Andrews brought the home team within touching distance with ten minutes to go.

But a last-minute penalty took even a losing bonus point out of the green-and-whites’ grasp.

Woodrush will be aiming to bounce back at Ledbury on Saturday (3pm ko).