Rugby union
Woodrush canter to derby success

WOODRUSH were made to battle hard for a while before running out convincing 55-0 winners in Saturday's Midlands Three West (South) derby at Redditch.

For the visitors it was a third win in four league games this season, but the Kingfishers are left bottom of the table and without a victory.

Woodrush ran in eight tries in total but did not put their first points on the scoreboard for more than half an hour.

The first try was therefore a big relief for Woodrush - who had enjoyed the greater possession and territory - and it came from wing forward Anton Taylor who had come off the bench to score.

Steve Smart missed the conversion but made amends seconds later with a penalty and then, deep in first half injury time, he ran in a try himself and slotted over the conversion to make it 15-0 at half time.

The second half was a different affair altogether as Woodrush dominated proceedings throughout.

They had the elements in their favour with the low sun behind them and the advantage of the slope and ran in a further six tries through hooker Paul Moppett, wing forward Gary McGrann, Smart again, centre Andrew Poole and wing forward Simon Andrews, who ran in from the halfway line unnopposed.

Redditch were punished for their indiscipline and had a penalty try awarded against them and had two players sin-binned with yellow cards.

Smart missed a sitter under the posts but was otherwise faultless in converting five of the second half tries to make it a record margin of victory in a game between these local sides.

Back at Icknield Street, Woodrush 2nds saw off their Redditch counterparts 41-0 to make it a double celebration for the club.

Tomorrow Woodrush visit Stourbridge Lions in the Midlands Senior Vase second round and will need to be in good form against a side who were Midlands champions in this competition last season.

Redditch return to league action at Pershore on October 20.

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