Whitchurch 10 vs Newent 39

Newent arrived at Edgeley Park as clear league leaders with a 100 per cent record and it was hard not to see why in this hard fought, but never close, battle. The slick hands of their speedy backs created a try within eight minutes to put them ahead but the Shropshire men fought back and forced a penalty a few minutes later. James Marvell was successful with the kick and there were only teo points between the teams. This was the closest that Whitchurch managed and the visitors scored another three tries to lead 5 20 pts at half time.

Whitchurch came out much stronger for the second half as coach, Andy Powell, made a few adjustments. For twenty minutes, the home side looked the more likely to score and came close several times, only to be thwarted by a strong and organised defence. Home hopes were almost distinguished when the Gloucester men broke away to score in the corner but they came back with a period of their own pressure and Jake Rees marked his return to playing by scoring a bulldozing try which Marvell converted. The referee gave another yellow card, this time to a Whitchurch player and the first class visitors ran in another two converted tries in the last five minutes.

Coach Powell thanked his team for their gutsy effort and said that he is looking forward to next week when they play Hereford away and he expects a performance like that will ensure a victory.