Whitchurch's wonderful day

Whitchurch's junior teams are celebrating victory in two North Midlands finals.

The Edgeley Park under-17s claimed the North Midlands Cup while, not to be outdone, there was Plate victory for Whitchurch's under-14s on a memorable day for the club at Luctonians' Mortimer Park ground.

Two early scores proved the key to the under-17 success as they defeated Dudley Kingswinford 10-0.

The clock had reached just two minutes when Whitchurch were awarded a penalty which fly-half and captain Danny Nicholas coolly slotted over.

And another raid down the right allowed winger Jack Hart to touch down for a try which Nicholas also converted.Dudley attempted to force their way back into the game in the second period but could find no way past a well-drilled Whitchurch rearguard.

If it was all about early scores for the under-17s, it was the late, late show for the under-14s in their Plate final victory over Droitwich.

Matt McIntosh proved the hero, scoring in the corner with just two minutes remaining before holding his nerve to slot over a difficult conversion to seal a 14-13 win, extending their unbeaten run to 15 games.

"The boys have shown incredible spirit and conceding a try with five minutes to go in a North Midlands final and needing a converted try to win presented a mountainous challenge," said head coach Stephen Geary.

"They responded magnificently and were rewarded for their never-say-die attitude, which has allowed them to round off the season in style."

Whitchurch found themselves trailing 8-0 at the break before Jack Allam crossed the line for the north Shropshire side, with McIntosh adding the conversion.

Droitwich looked to have one hand on the trophy when they scored their second unconverted try with five minutes remaining.

But McIntosh had other ideas and his late intervention sealed final glory for Whitchurch.