Ledbury continued their improvement as they pushed Midlands Three West (South) second-placed Droitwich to the wire.

DROITWICH 16pts, LEDBURY RFC 8pts

The opening stages were a tight affair but Ledbury seemed to edge it in the pack and the backs looked sharp, but for their dominance found themselves 6-0 down through two penalties by Droitwich points machine Matty Blackmore.

Ledbury then set up camp in the Droitwich 22, Russ Putland, Tom Isles, Henry Harrison all went close but resolute Droitwich defending kept them out. Ledbury continued to press with Dan Hunter and Henry Blandford trying to make opportunities and returning full back Pete Elkington looking sharp.

Half time came and Ledbury sensed their four-game winless league streak could come to an end.

The second half was another good effort by Ledbury but they still could not score. Droitwich started to press but Ledbury seemed to be more than a match for them with James Handley, Al Olton, Matt Williams and John Pritchard being big in defence. Tara Barnet nearly got over for Ledbury before disaster struck as the Droitwich scrum-half sneaked over in the corner. The conversion was landed and it was 13-0.

Dan Hunter pulled a penalty back for Ledbury only for Blackmore to slot one for Droitwich to make it 16-3. Ledbury tried and tried and in the 78th minute Kieran Hallam bundled his way into the corner.

Time was against Ledbury coming back as they lost 16-8. The performance was much improved but for the third league game running Ledbury played well and lost.

The spirit is there, the players are there and the support is there, it can only be a matter of time before this Ledbury side rises up the league.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury travel to high-flying Old Coventrians (2.30) for another league game.