KINGS Norton recorded their first home league points of the season with a 18-15 win over Shipston.
Former captain Matt Eagles returned at centre in place of the unavailable Jamie Clayton while Mark Newbury returned from injury in the second row.
Shipston kicked an early penalty only for the home side to reply with Jan van der Walt touching down in the corner from a forward drive following a lineout.
Kings almost added to their score on the stroke but were kept at bay by determined defending.
Ken Whitehouse extended the lead with an ealy second half penalty but the visitors hauled themselves back into the game with a powerful forwards try to level at 8-8.
Replacement Nick Baxter bagged a try and Whitehouse's conversion extended the lead to five points.
Shipston hit back once again to score from a rolling maul and it looked as though it would finish all square.
But the home side pressed hard and, after a foul on Baxter, Whitehouse coolly converted a long range penalty with three minutes remaining.
Kings Norton continue their league programme next week with a trip to Coventrians.
And the result left coach Matt Elwell bemused by his side's lack of ideas.
"We didn't turn up in the first 40 minutes," he said. "It was an inept and complacent performance which was totally unacceptable.
"The only positive was that we finally woke up with 30 minutes to go but we have to realise that this is a tough league."
Woodrush are at home to Evesham in the league on Saturday with Elwell hoping to have influential forward Alfie Beard back in contention.
"That match with Evesham is now a must win' match for us," he added. "We won't be able to play like that again."
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