DESPITE the fact no new players had been drafted into Cleobury Mortimer XV, the squad who assembled on Saturday for the first friendly of the new season, appeared fitter and leaner for the forthcoming campaign, a fact borne out by a convincing 33-13 win.

Tenbury RFC provided a challenging first opponents but after some fierce opening exchanges it was Cleobury who drew first blood as an outrageous dummy from scrum half Willie Bache, on the half way line, enabled him to get through the first defence and round the full back to score under the posts.

With Colin Smith on holiday and Julian Harding back in harness at fly half and handed the kicking duties, but it game the home side had a solid look about it. An excellent move from a lineout saw the ball transferred through several pairs of hands and Colin Todd scampered in from the 22-metre line with Harding adding the extras. Although the visitors pulled a penalty back the teams changed ends at 14-3 to the home side.

After the interval, despite a breakaway score from Tenbury Centre, Richard Wozencroft, it was livewire Willie Bache who put the home side further ahead as he sniped from the base of the driving maul and again Julian Harding managed the conversion. Next to score was Paul Hulland following a superb run and pass from Julian Harding that set him up for the equivalent of a 'tap in' with the conversion to follow.

Tenbury again reduced the arrears with their second try, but with Alan Shields at full back for Cleobury, it was an excellent run and pass that put Mark Little in at the corner - but the previously perfect kicking display was spoilt as the conversion hit a post and bounced away.