Clee Hill 26 pts Tenbury 12 pts

CLEE Hill flyer Richard Wozencroft brought about his former club’s downfall with a man-of-the-match display against rivals Tenbury.

Clee Hill spokesman Gary Edwards praised Wozencroft and was thrilled with the villagers’ league double over Pete Stevens’ men.

“Tenbury did the double over us last year, which was very hard to take, but we have turned the tables and beaten them twice this season,” said Edwards.

“Over the two games, I think we have been the better side.”

“It was not an ideal day for rugby – the conditions were tough – but it was with great credit that the match went ahead.

Hill travel to lowly Warley this Saturday and are second in Midlands Four West (North) after their ninth win of the season. Hill are seven points behind table-topping Harborne.

But Tenbury remain second-bottom in the division and are four points adrift of Warley after their eighth league loss.

Clee started slowly in last Saturday’s clash with Tenbury but clicked into gear when scrum-half Charlie Evans picked up the ball at the the back of a scrum to cross for the first try.

Robbie Jordan kicked the conversion but the Hillmen continued to dominate Tenbury’s pack and Wozencroft crossed for Hill’s second try, following another powerful scrum.

Hill opened up a commanding 19-0 lead when they were awarded a penalty-try.

Tenbury, to their credit, fought back and scored a try through Will Gough.

Tenbury started the second period on the front foot and narrowed the deficit to 19-12 when Gough crossed again and Ben King kicked the conversion.

Tenbury were then awarded a penalty in front of the posts and Gough’s effort struck a post.

Hill regrouped and sealed their victory when winger Luke Bowen, the brother of skipper Matt Bowen, crossed for a try, which Wozencroft converted.

However, Edwards said some few poor decisions and handling errors hindered the hosts from extending their lead.

Edwards added: “We deserved to win but Tenbury gave a good account of themselves in a hard-fought local derby.”

Tenbury skipper Stevens admitted his men had paid the price for a slow start.

“We shipped two tries in the opening 10 minutes and that cost us,” said Stevens.

“But we fought back into the match and had we killed a penalty to cut the deficit to 19-15 I think we would have gone on to win.

“This is a big year for us – 2014 will see a different Tenbury team. Saturday’s match against Cleobury is a crunch game for us.”