Warley 10 pts Tenbury 36 pts

CAPTAIN Pete Stevens praised his new arrivals from Ludlow after Tenbury Rugby Club took a giant leap towards safety in Midlands Four West (North).

Tom and Dan Rawlings each scored their first competitive try for Tenbury and Russell Jones was outstanding, said Stevens, as the Worcestershire outfit climbed two places above the drop zone.

Flanker Chuck Parry was the man-of-the-match for Tenbury who are now two points better off than Warley and hosts basement-boys St Leonards at Palmer’s Meadow this Saturday.

“Warley are a good side – they are not mugs and we worked very hard,” said a delighted Stevens.

“The win over Harborne was our best in terms of quality of the opposition but Saturday’s victory was the best in terms of the way in which we played.

“We filled a 35-seater bus with players and supporters and it was a fantastic day.

“We were in control and nothing was going to stop us.“I knew that March was going to be a massive month for us. It is a shame we weren’t able to start the season with this side and we have got St Leonards at home this Saturday.

“Russell Jones, as a ball carrier, was magnificent but all the lads played very well.”

Andrew Wilkes bagged a brace of tries for Tenbury, who made a strong start and had opened up a 19-0 lead before the interval.

“We were in control in the first half after I had chosen to play against the wind,” said Stevens.

“At the start of the match, I thought that if we had held them to a 0-0 score at the break, I would have been very happy.”

The experienced Will Morgan crossed for Tenbury’s opening try, converted by Will Gough.

Sam Thomas added the second try and Dan Rawlings, the third, which Gough converted.

Andy Wilkes crossed for Tenbury’s fourth try soon after half-time and Gough converted.

Tom Rawlings then dived over for the visitors’ fifth touchdown and Tenbury swept into a 31-0 advantage.

Warley eventually crossed for their first try before Wilkes notched his second touchdown of the afternoon. The hosts completed the scoring in the dying seconds.

Stevens said: “It’s the first time in a long time that I honestly feel that we will be staying up.

“When we defeated Harborne, I knew the players could step up to the challenge.

“We have now gone above Greyhound who have a very tough run-in and are playing against all the best teams.”

Stevens added: “Hopefully, we can stay up this season and look to kick on next term.”