Lordswood Rugby Club paid the price for player shortages once more with a 29-5 defeat against next to bottom Old Dunstonians on Saturday.

Frustrated head coach Paul Essenhigh had to scratch around for a 15 man team and the London 3 South East side are now cut adrift at the bottom of the table.

League restructuring may save them from relegation but Essenhigh admits that might only add to the problems.

He said: “There is a possibility that there will be no relegation and the league will be increased, which will mean 30 games for us instead of 22, and that could put more pressure on us.”

Lordswood’s hopes on Saturday weren’t helped as traffic problems meant they turned up with little time for prepartation and were 17-0 down after just 20 minutes.

A converted try left them trailing by 24 points at the break.

A much improved showing in the second half led to an unconverted try by Charlie Almond.

Essenhigh praised the performances of fly-half James Dorman and debut winger Jonah Callaway.