MANOR Park were squeezed out of a second successive Shield semi-final after visitors Southam fought back from behind to secure victory.
Having overcome Copsewood with a seven-try success in last weekend’s preliminary round tie, Park took on fellow Midlands 3 West South opposition hoping to replicate last season’s victory at the same stage of the competition.
Park welcomed back former captain Charlie Wilson back to the starting line-up but it was his teammate Gaz Hammond who made the biggest impact early on.
From loose ball Southam hastily attempted to clear from just outside their own 22, but Dan Joyce was on hand to charge down the kick.
He quickly gathered held and offloaded beautifully to Hammond who arched a run into the corner to score.
Using the foundations of a strong scrum, Manor extended their lead through some sustained and controlled phase play.
Southam's line speed was strong and Park kept plugging through Christopher Cook, Gaz Hammond and Matt Marston.
But it took a tackle-busting surge from Cameron Forryan to swot away a would-be tackler to score a great team-try.
Southam rallied to score a penalty before half-time and added two tries after the interval to take a narrow lead they held on to.
Park begin their Midlands 3 West South season at Old Wheatleyans on Saturday.