REDDITCH suffered a 29-12 reverse against Cannock in their first home game of the season as injuries and torrential rain made for a miserable afternoon.
Will Baillon and Owen Binns provided the home side’s two tries – dotting down either side of the break.
Redditch finished the game with 12 forwards on the pitch – as injuries to their backs mounted up – falling to their first defeat of the season after their win at Bloxwich last weekend.
The visitors showed their intent from the off, keeping the ball alive at all times to create gaps in the Redditch defence which they were able to expose throughout the first 40 minutes.
Luke Kerins side were the victims of several high tackles in the opening period – one of which resulted in a yellow card after Takunda Kahwa was taken out.
Cannock scored three converted tries without reply in the first-half to take control of the game as they soaked up pressure from the Redditch forwards.
Baillon eventually managed to put Redditch on the board when he broke free down the left – speeding away from his would-be tacklers to touch down – with the conversion attempt missing the target.
Redditch were frustrated further when Cannock kicked a penalty shortly before half-time which sent the away side into the break with a 24-5 lead.
The hosts lost two players to injury at the beginning of the second period – forcing two forwards to replace two backs – creating an imbalance in the Redditch ranks.
However, Redditch were able to score a second try through Binns when he went over following a driving maul with Will Heath adding the extras from the conversion.
The Kingfishers played the last half an hour with 12 forwards in the side which allowed Cannock to grab a fourth try and guaranteed a second straight win for the Staffordshire club.
Coach Kerins joined the fray late on but was not able to inspire a comeback although Redditch will have been pleased with the dominance of their forwards in a tough encounter.
Redditch travel to Five Ways Old Edwardians for their next outing on Saturday, October 9 in Hopwood.
