TENBURY RFC rounded off their season with an impressive display at home to Midlands Five West (North) champions Essington.

The Penlu outfit were edged out 9-7 but claimed the only try of the game when centre Craig Parkes powered his way over the line.

And for skipper Ed Gough, the future looks good.

“It was a really good display and we’re disappointed that we didn’t actually win the game,” the Tenbury captain said.

“They kicked two penalties in the opening 30 minutes but Craig has then scored a try down the blind side which Claude Celton converted and we were the stronger side going into the break.

“The second half saw both sides battering into each other but they kept us in our own half and then kicked a third penalty to win the game.”

Tenbury are the only side to beat Essington all season, running out 16-5 winners in Staffordshire in January, with the champions managing to score just two tries in their three meetings.

“There has been nothing between the two sides all season,” Gough said. “It shows that we are capable of raising our standards when we play the better sides. We do seem to enjoy playing them – although maybe we did kick the ball away too much.

“We are a young side and still learning but I’m proud of how far we have come this year.

"Playing together week in, week out, has helped as players learn each other’s games.

“The fact that we’re disappointed not to beat a side who have put some serious points on other teams this season all bodes well for the future.

“We will continue to improve and I know we are looking to recruit a couple of players for next season. We’re also hoping that we will have better facilities and floodlights to train under.”

The result ensured a fifth-place finish for Tenbury albeit just nine points adrift of third-placed Hereford outfit Greyhound.

Gough added: “We have shown we can match the best sides in the division but we’ve not been helped with some of the travelling.

“Because of having to play teams three times, we have had to play away to St Leonards (second) and Greyhound (third) twice which has been tough.”