RAMPANT Tenbury RFC eased to a 29-0 Midlands Five West (North) victory over neighbours Greyhounds, avenging a narrow defeat at the hands of the Hereford side earlier in the season.

And it was a dazzling first-half display that proved decisive as the home side chalked up all their points before the break.

A Claude Celton penalty settled the nerves inside the opening minute and, against the run of play, he then stretched the lead to ten points with his own try and conversion.

Greyhounds fought back and were denied what seemed a certain try by a brilliant tackle from Callum Spires. And when the visitors missed a penalty from just outside the ’22’ it looked as though it was going to be a day to forget for the visitors.

Midway through the half, Tenbury grabbed their second try of the game when good work from skipper Ed Gough took him to the line with Celton kicking the extras for a 17-0 lead.

Player-coach Andy Black then took centre stage with a brace of tries in the closing stages of the half. His first saw him gathering at a 25th minute line-out near the Greyhound line before dropping over for a converted score. He then effectively wrapped up the win by popping up on the wing to finish off a wonderful backs move.

The second half was a much more even battle with some excellent Tenbury tackling keeping the visitors at bay. And not even a late yellow card for Craig Parkes could knock them off their stride.

These two sides meet again on Saturday for the third league encounter with Tenbury looking to make it five straight wins.

Skipper Gough praised his side’s display but admitted the players could take nothing for granted going into this week’s game.

“You can never get carried away and you have to earn the right to win,” he said. “Greyhound are likely to be stronger playing at their place.”