Defeat at Five Ways Old Edwardians was wake-up call for Tenbury (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Defeat at Five Ways Old Edwardians was wake-up call for Tenbury

4:00pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Sport

CAPTAIN Pete Stevens says Tenbury Rugby Club’s 27-25 defeat at lowly Five Ways Old Edwardians is a ‘wake-up call’ for his players.

Stevens praised two-try Matt Ord but said Tenbury surrendered against the Midlands Four West (North) basement club.

He now hopes that Tenbury can pick themselves up for this Saturday’s Junior Vase second-round home clash with Warley.

“I knew it was going to be a hard game,” admitted Stevens, whose side led 17-7 early in the second half at Five Ways.

“It was one of those annoying games. We were firmly in control and then threw the game away.

“It was a big wake-up call for us but and we should have pulled off the win.”

Ben King crossed under the posts and slotted a conversion to put Tenbury 7-0 ahead and then Ord dived over after a rolling maul.

The hosts cut the deficit to 12-7 at the break but Ord scored again early in the second period to put Tenbury 17-7 ahead.

But it went downhill for Tenbury from that point and, although King kicked a penalty and Harry McBeth scored a late try, it wasn’t enough.

Stevens said: “Matt Ord was outstanding and was charging at forwards and showed others the way to go. But it’s going to be an open league again this season. Clee Hill won against the top of the table.”

Stevens expects a hard cup battle against Warley, who defeated Hill in the previous round. “The game against Warley is an absolutely massive game for us.

“They’ve got some big boys in the forwards and we want a cup run. I am quietly confident we can turn them over.”

Captain Pete Bevan scored his second try of the season but Bishop’s Castle were pipped 14-13 by visiting Cannock.

Elliot Brooks kicked two penalties and a conversion for Castle, who led 6-0 at one point. However, Bevan’s boys fell short.

“We got a bonus point but we should have won it, really,” said Bevan, who has already equalled his try-tally last term.

“It was all us in the last five minutes but we couldn’t break through.”

Ludlow remain second-bottom in Midlands One West after a 19-13 home defeat against Stratford-upon-Avon.

“There were a lot of positives and we didn’t make any silly errors,” said Ludlow coach Dave Irish.

“Stratford are a decent side and the boys took a lot of confidence from the result.”

Will Norton kicked two penalties and a conversion while Ed McFarlane scored Ludlow’s try.

Irish’s side travel to Stoke for a crucial league match this Saturday.

Brothers Alex and Ben Howman scored tries for Cleobury Mortimer who lost 27-14 at Handsworth in Midlands Three West (North). Full-back Ed Lewis slotted two conversions for Cleobury.

l Bishop’s Castle’s junior rugby section have their first training session of the season on Sunday, October 28 from 10.30am to noon.