County rugby round-up

The one-point margin was fitting revenge for Castle, who had been beaten by the same narrow gap away at Moseley Oak before Christmas.

The south Shropshire men had been 9-0 down at the break but the introduction of the battling Barry Conde at half-time gave them added impetus.

Two Mark Willis penalties reduced the deficit before the visitors kicked three points of their own.

But Castle snatched victory in the final 10 minutes when Willis went over and then converted his own try.

Shrewsbury won 35-22 at Veseyans, scoring five tries in the process.

Simon Evitts, Will Jones, Andrew Swann, Chris Tennuci and George Daniels all went over, with Mattie Morris kicking two conversions and two penalties.

Cleobury Mortimer also produced a strong showing, despite going down 19-16 at home to Leek.

A James Manley try and an Allan Shields penalty kept Cleobury in it at the break as they trailed 12-8.

Greg Shorter went over in the second period, while Shields kicked two penalties, but it proved not quite enough in the final reckoning.

Bridgnorth's hopes of overhauling Midlands Three leaders Old Halesonians have finally faded after they suffered a 25-12 home defeat to the table-toppers.

The result leaves the Severn Park outfit 10 points adrift at the top with just six games remaining.

But it could have been so much different with Bridgnorth leading 12-0 at half-time.

The hosts dominated for long stretches of the opening period, scoring three penalties and a drop goal through Charlie Ralph.

Ludlow were left to rue a "bad day at the office" as they slumped to a 44-13 thumping at struggling Dixonians.

The south Shropshire side failed to hit top gear and the only high spot came from Joe Doyle who scored a try and kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Newport have re-discovered the scoring touch – and maybe just in the nick of time.

The Forton Road outfit had failed to score a single point in either of their last two Midlands One matches.

But their scoring problems were forgotten as they stormed to a 44-17 victory over Longton, a welcome return to form ahead of this weekend's big EDF Intermediate Cup semi-final at Sheffield.

The Midlands Two stagglers after a second half collapse saw them slump to a 39-19 home defeat to Sutton Coldfield.

A sixth league victory of the season appeared to be a real possibility as the Reds led 14-13 at half-time.

But the visitors ran in three tries at the start of the second period to run out comfortable winners.

Telford Hornets kept up their Midlands 5 West (North) promotion push as they beat Yardley 15-8 at the Town Park.

A Steff Hildred penalty was followed by a Stu McClymont try as Telford led 8-5 at the break.

And they built on that as Matt Evans made 25 yards from a tap penalty to cross for another try, converted by Hildred.

Oswestry put up a brave performance at home to second-placed Anselmians in South Lancs/Cheshire 2 but fell to a 16-7 defeat.

Market Drayton enjoyed a comfortable 33-0 victory over bottom club Stone in Midlands 6 West (North).

Highley picked up their first point of the season as they held Bredon Star to a 21-21 draw – a result that ends a run of 11 consecutive defeats in Midlands 6 West (SW).