INJURY HIT Redditch made a disastrous start to their Midland League Division 4 West South contest with Harbury and suffered a heavy 53-5 defeat as a result.

The contest was effectively over within the first 10 minutes as Harbury raced over for three tries in rapid succession while Redditch were hardly able to get their hands on the ball.

But once Redditch settled, they began using the ball to good effect with fly half Lewis Saddington controlling play, allowing the likes of Matthews and Kearney to carry the ball to good effect.

The pressure appeared to have paid off when Matthews scored a try which but his effort was ruled out because the referee didn't get a good view of the grounding.

This decision proved a big blow for the Kingfishers and heads dropped as a result.

Instead of being rewarded for their enterprise, tackles were missed and Harbury were able to run in two more tries to lead 27-0 at the break.

Although the result was already decided, that didn't stop Redditch from showing some resilience when hooker Josh Renowden got some small reward when he produced a determined charge from a line-out to put five points on the board.

But that score only stung Harbury back into life and they went onto score four more tries in the following half hour.

Although Redditch's pack held their own in the set piece, they lost too much possession in the loose.

Too often, runners were left isolated and the ball was lost.

Redditch Rangers lost out 47-10 to Stourbridge thirds in a Merit Table match.

The Rangers' progress was hampered after 20 minutes when they were reduced to 14 players owing to first team injuries on the adjoining pitch.

Despite this setback, Redditch battled bravely against a Stourbridge side who possessed some excellent back line players who had a big influence on the game.

Redditch host Clee Hill in a Merit Table match this Saturday while the Exiles travel to Chaddesley Corbett.