Redditch 29 Stourport 5

REDDITCH eased into the third round of the EDF Energy Junior Vase with a straightforward victory against higher league opponents.

With the hosts playing a strong, attacking game from the start, strong man Gary Carter was able to power his way across the visitors' line in the opening minutes to give Redditch the lead.

Further tries from Richie Venn, Gareth Davies and skipper Neil Hodgkins (two), with Davies kicking two conversions, gave Redditch a 29-0 half time lead following their best 40 minutes of rugby this season.

The pace of the game was slowed down in the second half, with the referee penalising Redditch at a number of scrums, allowing Stourport back into the game and preventing Redditch from building on their first half performance.

"This was a great first-half performance from the team in which we were able to dominate the play and build a comfortable lead against higher league opposition," said a delighted Hodgkins.

"At the beginning of the season it was taking us ten or fifteen minutes to get into the game, but the past few games have seen us hit top gear and put the opposition on the back foot from the kick-off.

"There were some good individual performances, with Gary Carter and Paul Green providing an excellent platform in the scrum. Man of the match deservedly went to vice-captain Glen Francis, who dominated the scrum and stole several of the opposition's put-ins against the head."

League leaders Redditch are back in league action on Saturday, at home to Bromyard (ko 2.30pm).