Battlers hold firm for vital win

A Mike Preece try moments before half-time proved to be the only score of the day as Bridgnorth picked up their second win of the season in Midlands 2 West.

The All Blacks needed victory over fellow strugglers Camp Hill to give them realistic hopes of mounting a survival bid in the New Year.

And they did just that in difficult conditions to win 5-0 at the Birmingham side's ground.

They started with a bang, piling pressure on the hosts, and were finally rewarded as the interval approached when youngster Gareth Bladen dived the ball out to Preece who ran in from 30 yards.

Charlie Ralph missed the conversion, and also came close with a penalty from the halfway line and inexplicably took a tap penalty when another three points looked a certainty from 15 metres out.

"With the Bridgnorth spectators and the Smallman brothers (the team coaches) biting their nails into almost 10 minutes of injury time a very tired team of Bridgnorth heroes held on to record their second victory of the season," said spokesman Geoff Davies.

"This was a great effort from Bridgnorth, with all members of the team playing their part and hopefully will increase their confidence for the games ahead,"

Newport's promotion hopes took a dent as they slipped to a 15-3 defeat against second-placed Kenilworth. Overnight rain made the surface greasy and slippery and it was a dour attritional match.

Newport's effort and commitment could not be faulted and they played themselves virtually to a standstill by the end of the game.

But Kenilworth's defence and tackling was very strong, and, although Newport made several breaks, they were all snuffed out.

"Nothing could be taken away from Newport's effort, but nevertheless this was a disappointing result," said spokesman Chris Bristow.

"The teams were evenly matched in most areas, but Newport had very little ball going forward which made life difficult."

Kenilworth took the lead with a fourth minute penalty, but the Fishes levelled from Jamie Simpson's penalty on 19 minutes.

But the hosts got the first try of the game before the break and then got the decisive score midway through the second half, scoring off a lineout in the corner.

Newport brought on all three of their substitutes - Vince Knight Will Martin and Richard Harris - but Kenilworth held on for an important victory.

The Shropshire side will stage their traditional Boxing Day fixture next Tuesday where a mixture of Newport players play a Nomads side consisting of players who have moved away from the area (11am).