Ben Whitmarsh scores in Cleobury Mortimer's 21-13 defeat against Handsworth in Midlands Three West (North) (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Ben Whitmarsh scores in Cleobury Mortimer Rugby Club's 21-13 defeat against Handsworth in Midlands Three West (North)

9:00am Friday 18th January 2013 in Sport By Ian Morgan

NEWCOMER Ben Whitmarsh scored a superb try for Cleobury Mortimer - but they crashed to the bottom of Midlands Three West (North).

Cleobury were leading 13-10 at the interval before Handsworth hit back to condemn the hosts to their 12th defeat from 13 league matches.

“We were also winning at their place at half-time earlier in the season but we couldn’t hold on,” said Cleobury spokesman Hylton Smith.

“It’s a tough league and, at the moment, we are bottom with just one win.”

Smith, who is looking forward to the birth of his first child next month, praised the positive impact made by Whitmarsh. “Ben has only been playing for us this season and he scored a brilliant try against Handsworth.

“He collected the ball and ran around five or six players to score - it was fantastic.”

Ed Lewis slotted a conversion and kicked two penalties for Cleobury, who travel to third-from-bottom Eccleshall in a rearranged league match this Saturday.

Smith added: “We beat Eccleshall away last season and we are hoping to do it again.”