DROITWICH Spa’s extra fitness has been the deciding factor in their run of good form according to player James Shewell.

Spa have recovered from a shaky start to carve out a four-match winning streak in the Midlands Two West (South).

Saturday’s 17-5 victory over Dunlop lifted them to fourth in the table and leaves them with their sights firmly on the top positions.

Shewell said: “If you look at the stats we don’t tend to score tries in the first 20 minutes but after that we’ve found a way through.

“I think it’s a case that our fitness is very good, so we’re able to tire out of the opposition and make take our chances.”

The impact of new head coach Scott Sturdy, who took the reins from Jon Andrews in the summer, has also been hailed by Shewell.

Sturdy has previously worked with Oswestry Eagles but joined the club in the summer when Andrews stepped down for family reasons.

And Shewell also believes Spa can mount a promotion challenge after just missing out last season.

Shewell added: “He’s came in from the outside and brought in new ideas.

“Last season we came from nowhere to nearly win promotion so we can do it this year.

“We had a tough start to the season because we’ve lost to the top-two at the start but since then we’ve been able to build some momentum.

“When winter sets in we will have to see how we cope with the change in conditions.

“But if we can do well then we’ve got a good chance.”