CLEE Hill RFC rounded off an excellent 2019 by staying joint top of Midlands Four West North – but skipper Charlie Evans is already looking ahead to what could be a pivotal start to 2020.

Hill whitewashed Yardley and District 48-0 in a memorial match for past club member Barney Brick on Saturday to remain second, on the same points as leaders Aldridge but with a game in hand.

They begin the new year with games against third-placed Market Drayton and fourth-placed Rugeley then the small matter of a Midlands Junior Vase semi-final at home to local rivals Tenbury.

It is a period that could define their season and Evans said: “We’ve had a good first half of the season but it’s obviously still very close at the top of the league.

“We have quite a tough start to the second half of the season but it’s one we are looking forward to as everyone is really enjoying their rugby.”

Last Saturday’s shut-out continued Clee Hill’s enviable defensive form – they have conceded just 78 points in ten games, by far the league’s premier record with leaders Aldridge next best on 163.

Evans added: “Our defence is killing teams and that’s what has won us a lot of games – we defended very well again on Saturday and Yardley didn’t really get a look-in to be fair.

“But we scored some great tries as well and we have massively changed our style this past year, we are playing completely different rugby.

“It gives the folks who come here something good to watch. We have been scoring tries all across the pitch, including the wingers, and that’s something Clee Hill has not always been known for.”

Elsewhere, Cleobury Mortimer climbed to fifth in Midlands Three West North with a hard-fought 17-10 victory in atrocious weather at second-bottom Wednesbury.

Mortimer trailed 3-0 after a tight first half but a brace of tries from Josh Winfield, one from David Leach and an Alex Sparks conversion put them in control before a late Wednesbury consolation.

First team manager Aggy Desogus said: “This time last season we were in 10th place on 18 points and we are well up on that with 32 now so hopefully we can stay in the top half.”

Elsewhere, there was frustration for Ludlow and Tenbury as differing factors robbed them of the chance to round off 2019 with a home game.

Ludlow’s Midlands One West clash with Old Halesonians was rained off, while Tenbury were given a walkover in Midlands Four West South with visitors Birmingham Civil Service unable to raise a side.

Both sides sit seventh in their respective division heading into Christmas, while Bishops Castle and Onny Valley are ninth in Midlands Five after a narrow 12-8 loss at Rugby Welsh.