Cleobury Mortimer 18pts Redditch 12pts

CLEOBURY refused to be intimidated by the presence of a Britain's strongest man contestant in the opposition's front row as they saw off the challenge of leaders Redditch in North Midlands 1 South.

This win, their second over Redditch this season, takes Cleobury into joint top spot with their opponents and Kings Norton.

The visitors forced the Mortimer to defend vigorously for the opening 20 minutes but only had a solitary penalty to show for their effort. Cleobury responded by exerting pressure on the Redditch line and when they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, opted to take the scrum.

They pushed the visitors over their own line for Paul Hulland to record another try. Julian Harding added the conversion and exchanged penalties with his counterpart to leave the score 10-6 at the break.

Redditch reduced the deficit to three points before James Manley caught a cross kick from the Redditch fly-half, beat his man and set up an attacking movement which finished with the inevitable, Hulland scoring a second try. Harding missed the conversion but again traded penalties with the Redditch fly-half leaving the final score 18-12.

Cleobury Seconds visited Chaddesley Corbett, when the major event was the celebration of former Mort-imer player, John Dodge's 40th birthday. The result of the match finished 38-0 in favour of Chaddesley.