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Rugby round-up: Stourbridge hang on to faint title hopes in Regional One Midlands

Stourbridge kept their faint title hopes alive with a 30-17 victory at Lutterworth to leave them eight points adrift of the Regional One Midlands summit.

By George Bennett
Published

They were done no favours by second from bottom Dudley Kingswinford who lost 43-19 to league leaders Newport (Salop).

Ian Parker and Jake Perks were among the Kingswinford try scorers but they sit nine points adrift of safety.

Meanwhile, Lichfield moved to within two points of the play-off places after easing to a 56-17 triumph over Banbury.

Walsall climbed to within just a point of second-place West Bridgford following a narrow 34-33 victory in the top end clash between both teams. 

Benedict Mason scores a try for Whitchurch.
Benedict Mason scores a try for Whitchurch.

Old Halesonians are teetering on the brink of relegation from the Regional Two Midlands West, after their 24-15 defeat to Stratford Upon Avon left them 12 points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.

In the Counties One Midlands West (North), Burntwood lost 47-18 at home to league leaders Whitchurch and Stourbridge II were condemned to a convincing 71-22 drubbing at Crewe & Nantwich.

Ryan Tiene bagged a brace but was unable to prevent Kidderminster from falling to a 28-20 defeat at Camp Hill, which leaves them nine points adrift of safety in the Counties One Midlands West (South).

Willenhall maintained their four-point lead at the Counties Two Midlands West (West) summit after romping to a 59-21 success over Luctonians III.

Kian Carter and Billy Fisher get the tackle in.
Kian Carter and Billy Fisher get the tackle in.

Lewis Athersmith (x2), Adam Cooper, Nathan Brown, Stefan Collins, Jake Meredith, Jordan Blackburn, Thomas Bayley were among the try scorers for Willenhall.

However, second-place Clee Hill stayed firmly in the title race with a comprehensive 27-0 victory against Stafford.

Cannock handed Counties Three Midlands West (North) leaders Barton-Under-Needwood an away walkover, although Eccleshall remain six points behind after winning 28-19 at Uttoxeter. 

Third-place Lichfield II cruised to a 59-10 victory at Burton III and St Leonards moved 14 points clear of danger with a 24-20 success over Oswestry.

Aidan Barker prepares for a big hit.
Aidan Barker prepares for a big hit.

Stone won 27-48 at Newport (Salop) III courtesy of Ben Harrison's hat-trick, a brace by Adam Greaves and solitary tries from Cameron Mckay, Alex Evans and Thomas Parker.

Meanwhile, Rugeley were beaten 53-34 at Mark Drayton which leaves them sitting in a congested midtable pack in seventh spot.

Walsall II were consigned to a 36-0 crushing on home soil at the hands of Cleobury Mortimer in the Counties Three Midlands West (South).

In the Counties Three Midlands West (East), Handsworth enjoyed a 32-17 triumph at Tamworth II to strengthen their grip on third spot.

Tom Smith escapes the clutches of Tye O'Connor.
Tom Smith escapes the clutches of Tye O'Connor.

Second-place Bloxwich fell further behind in the Counties Four Midlands West (North) following a 22-20 setback at Telford Hornets II.

Wednesbury moved a point behind Bloxwich in third with a narrow 29-24 success at Essington, as Burntwood II succumbed to a 27-22 loss at Stafford II.

Elsewhere, Aldridge boosted their survival hopes with a 24-21 win at Newcastle (Staffs) III to leave them three points clear of the drop zone.

Old Halesonians II eased to a 29-0 demolition of Redditch and registered back-to-back wins in the Counties Four Midlands West (South).