Reds bow out in extra-time woe

Whitchurch's North Midlands Cup campaign ended in disappointment as they suffered an extra-time defeat at home to Malvern in their big quarter-final clash.

The Reds came from behind to bring the scores level, but conceded 10 unanswered points in the extra period to go down 26-16.

Malvern came into the clash as slight favourites, playing a league above the north Shropshire side in National League 3 Midlands.

And they were in front on five minutes with a Will Farris penalty, before extending that with an 18th minute try by Dominic Reagan.

Danny Nicholas kicked a penalty and centre Mark Williams then crossed the try line to bring the scores level, but Malvern took a half-time lead as Dean Madkiss went over.

Malvern looked on their way to victory when Farris kicked a penalty on the hour.

But Whitchurch rallied again as scrum-half Andy Barrie joined the list of try scorers, before Nicholas kicked a 77th minute penalty to force extra-time.

The game had kicked off behind schedule with the referee arriving late after getting lost on his way from Warrington.

And he courted more controversy when he insisted extra-time should be played over two periods of 10 minutes, despite competition rules stipulating 15 minutes each way.

The Worcestershire side did the damage in the first 10, Chris Edwards scoring a try converted by Farris who also kicked another penalty to take his personal tally to 11 points.

"We're a bit disappointed," said Whitchurch president John Gregory. "We could probably have won the game in normal time, but it was not meant to be."

Market Drayton fielded a fringe XV for a friendly away at Trentham II, and came away with a 33-0 victory.

Try scorers were Dave Adams, Mez Burns, Dewi Griffiths, Mike Jefferies, and Steve O'Neill. Nick Vincent converted four.

The north Shropshire side have now conceded just three points from their last seven outings in all competitions.

By CHRIS HUDSON