Cleobury Mortimer 15 pts Bromyard 3

AFTER playing the majority of their pre-Christmas North Midlands One matches away from home Cleobury started the New year with a welcome victory, defeating local rivals Bromyard to bag their second win of the season and move off the bottom of the table.

Boosted by the return of a couple of players recovered from injuries they were able to field just about their full-strength team, with the front row of Gary Harding, Chris Gittins and Matthew Barnsley offering a trio able to cope with most in the league.

The experienced Alan Shields, settled in the scrum-half position and with the reliable Colin Smith as his half-back partner, looked after the back division who made a number of promising sorties and, when called upon, defended well.

In spite of a lot of endeavour by both sides the defences were on top in a scoreless first period. Only three kickable penalties were awarded with Smith missing one and the Bromyard kicker the other two.

Cleobury suffered a big setback just before the break when Barnsley was adjudged to have been 'over-zealous' with his rucking and shown a straight red card.

The depleted home team reshuffled and, fired up by what they thought was a poor decision, drove into Bromyard on the restart and pinned them in their own 22-metre area.

They conceded several penalties, and with a kicker of Smith's calibre on hand they were duly punished as he landed four penalties in 10 minutes to take his side 12-points clear.

Bromyard responded and reduced arrears with a penalty, but Cleobury rallied and Smith ensured a well deserved win with his fifth penalty success.