County rugby round-up

Newport coach Ian Bletcher refused to write off his team's title chances despite a 15-0 defeat at Kenilworth.

The result leaves the Fishes sixth in Midlands One – four points behind new leaders Broadstreet, who were 14-13 winners at Luctonians.

"There are still some twists and turns left in this season," insisted Bletcher. "We've seen already that the teams at the bottom can pull off shocks.

"It's clearly a big blow for us but it doesn't mean that we are finished."

Newport held their own in a competitive first half but fell three points behind to an early penalty.

The crucial moment came on 20 minutes when Newport went over the home line but saw the points scratched off for alleged holding up.

The Fishes were well placed from the resulting scrum but a loose pass saw Kenilworth break quickly and touch down for 8-0.

The home side were on top in the second half and a penalty try after a broken scrum put the clash beyond doubt.

Bletcher added: "We just didn't really enact our game plan. They were well motivated – that was clear from the warm-up. We had enough territory to win but were just not clinical enough in the right areas.

"The referees are not helping us either. We want to play fast, flowing rugby – which is what the governing body wants teams to do – but we are being slowed down and penalised by officials picking up on small items."

Meanwhile, Luctonians had hoped to strengthen their grip on top spot but instead find themselves second after defeat at home to Broadstreet.

Lucs took the lead when Will Hodnett marked his first team debut with a penalty conversion.

The visitors responded by placing two penalties between the posts to move ahead, but Lucs levelled again just before the break with another successful Hodnett kick.

Broadstreet moved back ahead with their third penalty before winger Simon Morris scored the visitor's try with 10 minutes remaining.

Lucs pushed on relentlessly but only managed to break down the visiting defence once when Paul Hull forced his way over for Brett Prior to convert.

"It was an outstanding game worthy of a top-of-the-table clash," said spokesman Robin East. "Broadstreet took advantage of our lack of discipline and made the most of their penalties.

"They have now snatched the initiative away from us and we have to hope they will slip up."

Shrewsbury moved back into second place in Midlands Four West (North) with a convincing 41-5 victory over Shropshire rivals Bishop's Castle.

The eight point deficit on leaders Willenhall still looks too large for Shrewsbury to claw back – even with a game in hand – but a runners-up finish might be enough for promotion.

"We played reasonably well and just took our chances when they came," said Shrewsbury's flyhalf Mattie Morris.

"We were hopeful of getting some more points on the board in the second half but we didn't play as well as we had in the first.

"But it's good to be back in second place – a good morale booster as we enter the final run in."

It was Morris who got the ball rolling with an early kick – but visiting Castle then took a deserved lead soon after through centre Pete Hughes after an overlap on the left wing.

The strugglers, who included three former Shrewsbury Colts players in Elliot Brookes, Ben Davies and Doug Jones, continued to hold their own but were undone by indiscipline.

A penalty try for holding on the line, converted by Morris, put Shrewsbury back ahead – and from that point there was only one likely winner.

Three tries from Chris Tennuci, JJ Lowrie-Herz and Jason Allibone gave the Sundorne Castle men a 27-5 half time stranglehold. An explosion of pace by Tennuci gave him his second try after the break and Martin Edwards completed the rout.

Despite the defeat – Castle's 12th on the bounce – coach Darren Price believes that four more wins will stave off the threat of relegation.

"We have targeted four wins – and this was never going to be one of them," he said.

"Shrewsbury are a top three side but they knew they were in a match up until half time."

Cleobury Mortimer remain bottom-of-the-pile after a 38-10 defeat at Newcastle (Staffs).

A lacklustre first 40 minutes saw the visitors fall 28-3 behind at half time, captain Allan Shields with their only points. The second half was a better contest with wing James Manley grabbing Cleobury's try – his fourth in as many weeks.

Steve Morris added the extras as Shields had hobbled off injured with a knee problem.

"There's still plenty of team spirit so that is pleasing," said Shields.

Bridgnorth maintained their top four berth with a 10-6 triumph at Stourbridge Lions.

The All Blacks started well and pushed the Lions back on their own line for long periods before moving 3-0 ahead through Charlie Ralph.

The game's only try followed after a superb half break from stand off Ralph, who handed on to the supporting Warren Harding.

The slight centre cleverly drew his marker before delivering a beautiful hip sink pass to squeeze winger Steve Carrington over in the corner. Ralph added the extras.

Penalties were exchanged for the remainder of the contest – but Bridgnorth hung on to keep their promotion dreams alive.