TENBURY RFC’s hopes of a top three finish in Midlands Five West (North) were dashed after they slumped to defeat at league strugglers Chaddesley Corbett.

Tries from Ben Spires and Tom Lawley were not enough to stop the home side from chalking up a narrow 20-17 victory, Claude Celton kicking the other points.

Now skipper Ed Gough needs to lift his side ahead of their final league game of the season – at home to league champions Essington in two weeks time.

“It’s disappointing to lose but it was one of those days when things didn’t go for us,” the Tenbury captain explained.

“It’s annoying because we beat them convincingly at our place but have lost to them twice at theirs. We seem to have a problem with away fixtures and it’s something we need to sort out for next season.

“The only away win for us has been at Essington where we have been the only side to beat them. So we know we can do it, it’s just having that mental toughness.

“A rugby pitch is a rugby pitch wherever it is so we have to change a few mindsets. Grounds can be very different at this level of rugby – ours is quite a big pitch and that suits us, but it’s not always the case.”

A try from full-back Spires and a conversion and penalty from Celton steered Tenbury into a 10-6 interval lead only for Chaddesley to come back strongly at the start of the second half with back-to-back tries as they opened up a 20-10 advantage.

But as the home side’s heavier pack began to tire, the visitors took advantage with centre Tom Lawley scoring an excellent individual try, a jinking run from inside his own half with Celton adding the extras.

There were other chances for Tenbury but loose passes and knock-ons were to cost them.

Gough added: “We tried out a few things, giving some of the younger lads their chance before they headed back to university.

“It didn’t work out although the forwards did put in a good display, doing well in the scrums and in the loose. It was just that our backs gave them too much space.”

Without a league game this weekend, Gough said he would be looking for a friendly as the side build towards their match with the champions on April 16.

“We have four training sessions before then and we’ll also field the strongest team possible,” the skipper added.