Try spree just not enough

Coach Ginge Wills felt it was a game that had been there for the taking, and cited their decision making at crucial stages for costing them the win.

"A tight game such as this is usually won by the team making the fewest mistakes," he declared.

"Individuals took two or three crucial wrong options at critical stages in the match. We scored some excellent tries but conceded at least two soft ones."

Marc Millward, pictured, scored two tries - the second a superb solo effort with an 80-metre sprint - and Steffen Brotherton one, with Jamie Simpson converting all three as the hosts held a 21-15 lead at half-time.

Alex Bristow scored the fourth try, Simpson converting again, to restore their lead at 28-25 with 22 minutes remaining, but the visitors then took over, to inflict Newport's third defeat of the season.

Bridgnorth ended their recent losing run but had to settle for a 23-23 draw at home to a Camp Hill side that had lost all of their previous eight league games.

The All Blacks had experienced former captain Simon Pennington back in at fly-half, while coach Bryan Smallman came in at open-side flanker.

The pair added a new dimension to the team and put up strong performances, especially given their lack of match practice.

Tries for Cliff Tompkinson and skipper Ken Milkins, Pennington converting the second, had put the hosts 12-3 up.

Camp Hill had their wing forward sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes, and were struggling to get into the game until their left winger was awarded a penalty try.

Another Pennington penalty increased the home advantage, but a late try levelled the scores at 15-15 by the interval.

In a see-saw second half, Jim McGettrick restored the lead for Bridgnorth but it was then left to Pennington to rescue a point with a late penalty of his own.

Whitchurch were another side to draw, held to a 13-13 stalemate at lowly Wilmslow in North 2 West.

With the wind behind them, they were 10-3 down at the break as Chris Hilliker's early penalty was cancelled out.

They stormed ahead in the second half though, with a try apiece for cousins Tom and Chris Hares, before the Cheshire hosts kicked a late penalty to tie.

"I'm a bit disappointed because we should have come away with the win," said president John Gregory.

"We didn't play well enough to get our fifth league win on the trot but at least we got a point out of it, and that's better than coming away with nothing."

By Chris Hudson