REDDITCH finally got their season off and running with a 32-28 success over local rivals Kings Norton in Midlands Four West South.

Initially it looked as though Redditch were going to suffer a repeat of recent weeks when they found themselves defending a scrum on their own line which resulted with the referee awarding Kings Norton a penalty try.

Redditch responded and were awarded a penalty following a high tackle on Matt Allen with Steve Willman slotting over the resulting kick at goal.

As Redditch continued to attack, they were rewarded with two tries from Mark Green, the first arriving from clean line-out ball, while the second came from a clever Ash Mooney offload.

Willman added one conversion to put Redditch 15-7 ahead.

But Kings Norton closed the gap to a single point when they scored from a five metre scrum.

Redditch hit back thanks to some direct running from Josh Kearney who crossed for a third try which Willman converted to put his side 22-14 in front at the break.

The second half saw Redditch continue to snipe and spoil as the game became ever more fractious with Kings Norton becoming more frustrated.

Mooney defied the breeze with a solid 40 metre penalty while both Mark Green and Will Ballion went close with some elusive running.

However Kings Norton managed to score again when scrambling over under the posts.

Redditch hit back again when Green made the decisive break before chipping ahead for Matt Allen to score a fourth and bonus point try.

A serious head injury and a broken ankle for the Kings Norton full back together with the ref having to deal with close quarter tussles and frustated supporters meant nobody could tell when the game would end.

In total, the ref added on 12 extra minutes, during which time Kings Norton secured a fourth try and set up a nervous finish when they could have stolen the win as well.

Redditch have no fixture this Saturday but then travel to table-topping Old Wheatleyans from Coventry.