Impressive Rose proves to be a thorn in the side of Droitwich

The opening 20 minutes was mainly played out in midfield with two penalties from Angus Rose cancelled out by the hosts to leave the sides locked together at 6-6.

A defensive lapse by OLs allowed Droitwich the first sight of the whitewash and they made no mistake to cross out wide and run the ball back behind the posts for a converted try.

As half-time approached, good work from the OLs forwards allowed the ball to be moved swiftly along the three-quarters and full-back Rose crossed in the corner for a try he converted himself.

This was quickly followed by a long-range penalty from Rose to give the visitors a slender 14-13 lead at the interval.

The second half was similarly tight with Old Leamingtonians opening up an eight-point advantage courtesy of a converted try for Paul Salvin, only to see Droitwich hit back to take the lead thanks to a converted try of their own and a long-range penalty.

The visitors responded well, with a catch and drive allowing back-rower Tom Heslop to cross for try number three, this time unconverted.

Fly-half Dave Canning then broke through the Droitwich defence for the bonus-point try.

However, despite Rose adding the extras for a ten-point cushion, a nervy finale was endured after Droitwich halved the deficit with a late score.

 Old Leamingtonians Ladies claimed a 10-7 win at Bridgnorth in their opening Midlands One fixture with Dannie Benge’s penalty goal five minutes from time proving the difference between the two teams.

The returning Benge had earlier slotted over a first-half conversion to put OLs 7-0 up following a fine try from Claire Penna.