Whitchurch 24 Leamington 28

Whitchurch suffered a fourth defeat in five as they went down 28-24 at home to Leamington.

The north Shropshire side had already slipped out contention for the Midlands One West play-off place.

And they were downed by a Warwickshire side hungry for points to ease their fears of being embroiled in an end-of-season relegation battle.

"They were only two points clear of Stoke in the relegation places before Saturday and they seemed to be up for it more than us," said Whitchurch president John Gregory. "It was a good game of rugby, but a few mistakes defensively cost us."

It all started well enough for the Reds, who were ahead with a fifth minute try from Russell Lear, which was converted by Danny Nicholas.

Leamington centre Matt Cooper then kicked two penalties, though Nicholas also converted one for the hosts as Whitchurch stayed in front.

But a try from winger John Raby, converted by Cooper, put the visitors ahead 13-10 at the interval.

Whitchurch enjoyed a dream start to the second half as a penalty try after a technical infringement by the opposing scrum-half put them back in front.

But Leamington rallied and Cooper converted a penalty before tries for Raby and Ray Hopkins put the away side in control.

Centre Jimmy Mullock made a nice break to score under the posts and give Whitchurch hope, Nicholas adding the conversion.

But there was not enough time left for them to find another score and snatch victory.

"They'd won their last two away games before coming to Whitchurch," added Gregory. "They were more eager on the day."

By CHRIS HUDSON