Reds pile on points

A late flurry saw Whitchurch ease into the third round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup with an ultimately comfortable victory over Newbold. The North 2 West men ran in 24 points in the last 10 minutes of the game to complete a 38-10 victory away to the Midlands 2 side.

The Reds are now unbeaten in seven games and club president John Gregory was delighted by the performance.

"It was a very good game," he declared. "We defended very well and once we'd opened up a clear lead the passes started going to hand very well and we broke their defence down.

"It was a very good spell at the end of the game."

A Russell Lear try had put the north Shropshire outfit ahead but Newbold, third in their league, were back in it with a penalty off the last kick of the half.

Three Chris Hilliker penalties opened up an 11-point gap for the visitors and that set the stage for the pulsating finish.

Winger Tom Crank added his team's second try of the day before centre Guy Stringer went over for two more - the second converted by Hilliker.

Replacement Pete Bucknall then got another five-pointer, with Hilliker adding the extras to complete his team's scoring.

Newbold did get a converted try of their own deep into stoppage time but the game was over by then.

Whitchurch are the county's sole survivors in the cup, with Newport falling to a 62-31 defeat at Midlands 1 side Peterborough.

The Fishes ran in five tries, but found their East Anglian hosts to be too strong.

"Our forwards more than matched them up front, but their backs were a class act," said coach Ginge Wills.

"Their lines of running, and support play at times were too strong for us."

Newport's tries were scored by Chris Taylor, Nick Hillard, Alex Bristow and Richard Harris (2). Jamie Simpson kicked three conversions.

Luctonians' reward for their 33-14 victory over Reading in the National Trophy is a trip to National League side Rosslyn Park in the third round.

South African Brett Prior, Charlie Meredith and Bruce Ruthvin scored their three tries in a battling performance at Mortimer Park.

Full-back Jeremy Wheadon had an outstanding game converting the three tries and kicking four penalties.

"We didn't know what to expect from Reading but we were far the better side," said spokesman Robin East.

"Reading took the lead with two early tries but our players fought back and took command in the second half.

"We forced them into making numerous errors which Wheadon took full advantage of."