STRATFORD-upon-Avon RFC began the year with a 38-15 home defeat against high-flying Moseley Oak.
Tries from Ben Cole and Andy Oliver proved in vain at Pearcecroft as Stratford saw their three-game unbeaten run come to an end.
The result means Stratford sit eighth in the Regional 2 Midlands West table.
Moseley Oak scored the game’s first try in the far corner on 10 minutes following a break in midfield after a lineout.
The home side cut the deficit to two points as Dan Whitby kicked a penalty won off the back of a Moseley Oak scrum.
However, Stratford then lost influential fly-half Gwil Davis after he sustained a broken thumb, forcing the home side into a reshuffle.
Moseley Oak ran in three further tries in the first half as the visitors capitalised on missed tackles and greater physicality in key positions to overpower the hosts.
The home side responded with their first try before the interval as the Stratford pack drove Cole over the line after a period of sustained pressure deep in Moseley Oak territory.
Moseley Oak enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the second half and stretched their lead with a converted try after a visiting player dove through a gap in the ruck.
And the visitors crossed again later in the half after stealing the ball inside the Stratford 22 and making use of an overlap to score in the corner.
However, Stratford scored the game’s final try as Oliver ran in from 40-metres out after good work from replacement Jacob Kinnaird with Whitby adding the extras.
Stratford are next in action away at Newent on Saturday, January 11 with kick-off at 2.15pm at the Recreation Ground.
