Spires out for eight weeks to add to Tenbury's woes

TENBURY Rugby Club's woes have been worsened with news that full-back Callum Spires will be out of action for around eight weeks after he injured his ankle against Market Drayton last Saturday.

An ambulance was called to Palmers Meadow and Spires was stretchered from the field.

"We injured his ligaments and tendons," said Tenbury coach Andy Black.

"He was in a lot of discomfort, so an ambulance was called.

"He will be a big loss to the team."

Tenbury went into the game on the back of an encouraging win against Greyhound, which was their first success this season.

But they are now back to square one and face a tough trip against Rugeley this weekend in Midlands Four West (North).

"We didn't connect as a team and didn't develop any passages of play, which was the most disappointing thing," said Black.

"The team was deflated and it was as if the team wasn't switched on.

"I think we had the chance to win the game at half-time and they had two players down, which we should have capitalised on, but we didn't.

"That is something we have to learn from.

Captain Will Gough echoed Black's comments.

"We weren't really at the races and we seemed to be rattled by them rather than worrying about what we could do," said Gough.

"We didn't get out of the blocks in the first half and anything we did just did not work.

"We are also a bit rattled by the referee, who made some unbelievable decisions.

"There was one incident in the second half when there was a certain red card.

"I was talking to the ref about a previous punch to John Webb when one of their players punched one of ours five times.

"But the referee only gave him a yellow card."

Gough converted Tenbury's only try of the game, which was scored by winger Jacob Thomas.

He said that this Saturday's game against Rugeley will be a tough task for his team.

"It is a challenge that we are looking forward to," said Gough.

"We probably need a complete performance, but we are not packing.

"We are still waiting for Luke Brittain to come back, as well as Pete Foster and Jack Brain.

"We need players that can lead from the front, including myself."