Newport battle on

Newport's National Three Midlands survival hopes remain in the balance heading into the final match of the season, despite a deserved 18-18 draw at promotion-chasing Bromsgrove.

A stirring second half comeback from the Forton Road men, who had trailed 12-6 at the interval, means they have a three point cushion over third bottom Malvern, but the Worcestershire side have a crucial game in hand.

And with relegation rivals South Leicester and Kettering also winning, Newport head into the final match with Hereford next month knowing they need a result.

Newport Director of Rugby Ray Price praised his side's effort on Saturday.

He said: "The lads were absolutely tremendous, I was really proud of the way they performed. In the second half we were superb. We were camped in their half and after getting level I thought we were unlucky not to win it.

"They started very brightly and we took about 20 minutes to get going but once we started to play we were the better side. It was a really good performance and if you would have offered me a draw before the game I would have taken it."

Despite a slow start it was the visitors who opened the scoring through a Tomasi Tanumi penalty, but the hosts hit back with two tries – one of which was converted – to open up a 12-3 advantage.

A second Tanumi penalty reduced the arrears before the break and second half tries from Omar Suleiman and Rob Clymer, with one Tanumi conversion, meant the scores were level heading into the final 10 minutes.

But despite enjoying plenty of territory Newport couldn't find a vital score, and it nearly came back to haunt them with the home side missing a last minute penalty to win the game.

Hereford did no favours for Newport as they slipped to a shock 22-15 home defeat to relegation-threatened Malvern.

Tries from Kyle Burrell and Guy Thompson either side of the interval, aided by a penalty and conversion from Dean Powell, wasn't enough for the hosts.

All the damage was done in the opening period when the visitors ran in three early tries.

Luctonians saw their six match unbeaten run come to an end with a 20-14 defeat away at Hinckley.

Lucs led 14-6 at the interval with Leon Mells and Mike Thompson crossing, and Thompson converting both scores.

But a second half collapse allowed the home side to score two converted tries and a penalty to snatch victory.

By Alex James