STRATFORD-upon-Avon RFC saw their winless run stretch to eight matches following a 27-10 derby defeat against Shipston-on-Stour.
A penalty try and three points from the boot of Dan Whitby accounted for Stratford’s points at Mayo Road.
The result means Stratford sit 11th in the Regional 2 Midlands West table, three points above bottom side Old Halesonians.
Stratford dominated the early stages of the match and edged into a three-point lead when Whitby kicked a routine penalty.
However, Shipston scored the game’s first try soon after when the home side worked a well-executed overlap on the Stratford right.
The visitors reclaimed the lead when a deliberate knock-on denied Andy Oliver a certain try.
The referee awarded Stratford a penalty try while the Shipston player also received a yellow card for the offence.
However, Stratford failed to capitalise on the sin-bin period and Shipston scored a try to the right of the posts moments before the break.
The home side kicked a penalty early in the second half and ran in a third try to take a 12-point lead.
The visitors chased a losing bonus point in the closing stages only for Shipston to score a bonus point try at the death.
Stratford-upon-Avon are next in action against Kenilworth on Saturday, December 20 with kick-off at 2.15pm at Pearcecroft.
