Bleak weekend for rugby teams

It was a bleak weekend for most of the Shropshire sides in league action – with only three of the 12 who took to the field managing to record victories.

Bridgnorth, Telford Hornets and Oswestry were all victorious, but it was a long tale of woe elsewhere – starting from the very top.

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Newport's chances of promotion to the National Leagues took a big dent as they fell to a controversial defeat away to Broadstreet in Midlands One.

The attitude of the home side certainly angered Newport, who were disappointed by the referee's inability to properly control the game.

They were 20-0 down by the time an injury in the front row saw Simon Holland become an unlikely prop and the scrum go uncontested.

Broadstreet went on to add an extra 12 points, though league rules state a game can be replayed if uncontested scrums come into force.

The Fishes are opting not to go down that road though, agreeing to settle on the 20-0 scoreline at that point in the game.

Coach Ian Bletcher made his feelings clear as he declared: "A lot of what I'd like to say is unprintable but I am very disappointed in the way that the match was reduced.

"It became completely uncontrollable because it was not taken in hand early on. I am hoping that we can take something away from the game and work on our weaker areas.

Positive

"It was great to see Cledwyn (Hughes) on the pitch and Nick (Hulse, who was making his first league start for the club) did a good job for us so I am very positive about what we have to offer.

"Now I'm just looking ahead to next week's match against Hinckley and hoping that will put us back on track."

The result has seen the Fishes tumble to sixth in the table, while their conquerors are up to second.

Luctonians remain on top of the pile, though their lead has been cut to just one point after they slipped to a 23-5 defeat at home to Peterborough.

"It was a game of two halves they only came into ours twice in the first half but in the second they out muscled and outplayed us," said Luctonians spokesman Robin East.

"In most people's opinion they are the best all round side we have played against this season.

But we could have had the game sewn up in the first 20 minutes if we had taken our chances."

Leon Mells opened the scoring for the Lucs in the 10th minute but prop John Clarke levelled the score just before the interval.

After the break the Lucs missed a penalty early on before the visitors stepped up a gear to run in three more tries.

By CHRIS HUDSON