STRATFORD-upon-Avon RFC battled to a hard-fought 15-12 victory away at Whitchurch.
Tries from George Fox, Angus Wightman and Michael Dawes inspired the visitors to a narrow win on the road at Edgeley Park.
The result means Stratford sit seventh in the Regional 2 Midlands West table.
Due to injuries and unavailability, Stratford’s director of rugby Richard Pepperell named himself on the bench.
Stratford scored the game’s first try on 15 minutes when Jamie Jones passed out wide to Fox who finished off a flowing team move in the corner with Dan Whitby unable to add the extras.
Whitchurch responded with an unconverted try of their own in the right corner after Stratford had captain Tom Stanley sent to the sin-bin.
However, Stratford reclaimed the lead after the break when Wightman secured the ball at a lineout and peeled off down the blindside to touch down.
The visitors then lost try scorer Wightman to the sin-bin following repeated infringements at the ruck to leave Stratford temporarily down to 13 players.
Whitchurch piled on the pressure as Stratford held up an attack over the line before losing Jo Cook to the sin-bin for offside which coincided with Stanley’s return to the field.
The home side eventually crossed for a converted try with Stratford now trailing by two points.
However, Stratford held firm over the next few minutes to keep the hosts at bay before returning to a full complement of players.
And after securing lineout ball, Stratford drove prop Dawes over the line as the visitors saw out the remaining minutes to claim a narrow victory.
Stratford are next in action against Shipston-on-Stour on Saturday, March 1 at Pearcecroft.
