PRINCES Risborough RFC haven’t thrown in the towel yet.

They might be bottom of the BB&O Premier League, but the last few weeks have at last brought some good news.

Firstly, their appeal against a five-point penalty for an unmarked pitch on the opening day of the season has been successful.

President Terry Dillon said: “It was a real moral boost. That was the first game of the year so you’re minus five points before you’ve even kicked the ball.

“But the South West RFU accepted our situation and it was a real fillip for us.”

Risborough’s defence was that marking the pitch is the responsibility of the school, Princes Risborough, where they play their home games.

Also cheering the club is a recent influx of forwards.

They had to forfeit a cup match with Phoenix due to a lack of front rows recently, but the word was put out and, with the help of Bucks New University, two front rows have since come to the rescue.

Having not played for a few years, they are still getting up to full speed but gradually they’re being integrated into the side and with influential prop Will Batting also back the health Risborough have new-found cause for optimism.

Tomorrow they go to Aylesbury Athletic looking for their first win of the season after a gutsy 17-10 loss to second-placed Swindon College Old Boys last weekend.