Telford Hornets 49 pts Church Stretton Samurai 5 pts

CHURCH Stretton Samurai spokesman Jack Titley insists his depleted side learned a lot from their friendly defeat in the mud.

Stretton fought hard but ended the match with just 13 players on the field and travel to Market Drayton 2nd in their latest friendly this Saturday.

James Lowther and Danny Harley suffered injuries and with no reinforcements, Stretton were forced to play with 13 men.

Stretton press officer Jack Titley said: “There were plenty of positives to take for Samurai who are hoping to learn from last Saturday’s defeat and will hope exact revenge at home towards the end of season.”

“The conditions were horrendous on a day when many other matches were called off due to the wet weather, and the match resembled a mud-wrestling competition at times.

“The heavy pitch suited Telford’s attritional game as Stretton struggled to get their running game going.”

Stretton took the lead through centre Tom Ward after a fine kick by fly-half James Lowther had pinned the hosts back.

Lowther missed the conversion but Stretton, who were without their captain Ben Speake, trailed 20-5 at the break.

Stretton came close to scoring a series of tap penalties and powerful runs, especially from number eight Rob Higgins.

Titley added: “The heavy pitch took the energy out of the Stretton players’ legs, but they never gave up. The tackles kept coming in until the end, and they kept pushing.”