THE dream of a Twickenham final is a step closer to becoming reality for Droitwich RFC after they brushed aside Vipers to reach the last 16 of the EDF Senior Vase on Saturday.

They are now just three games away from booking a date at the home of English rugby after the 18-0 win.

Head coach Dan Protherough heaped praise on his players for their defensive discipline, despite insisting that the performance was below their best.

He admitted his side's inability to kill off their Leicestershire opponents earlier on in the clash made for some nervy moments.

But he was particlarly pleased to see his team shut out their opponents.

"We didn't play very well but it's about the result," said Protherough.

"After the first half I thought we would win but we never put them away.

"While they were only one score away it was a bit edgy.

"We could never get two scores clear. But the pleasing thing was that we managed to keep a clean sheet.

"If you do that when you are not playing very well then it doesn't matter."

Fly-half Duncan Hughes kicked Droitwich into a 6-0 lead, before tries from Jonny Critchlow and hooker James Protherough wrapped up the victory.

Coach Protherough has urged his squad to contain their excitement for the time being, with a tricky Midlands Division Three West (South) assignment against Nuneaton Old Edwardians in prospect this weekend.

He added that some of his players were still feeling the phyiscal effects of the previous week's 24-24 draw with top of the table Sutton Coldfield.

"It (Twickenham) is a long way off and there are some good sides left in the competition," he said.

"But when we get this far people are looking ahead because we are only three games away.

"But we have got to keep concentrating on the league. We were a bit flat from the week before.

"It was a very tough game and it affected us quite a lot."

Droitwich will meet Cornwall and Devon Tribute League side Cullompton in the Senior Vase sixth round on February 2.