Rampant Reds return to form

Whitchurch returned to winning ways in style with a dominant 41-12 success over Nuneaton Old Edwardians in Midlands One West.

The Reds hadn't tasted success in four previous league games but put that right with a superb first half performance on Saturday.

Four first half tries from winger Lee Blackhurst, fly half Chris Hares, centre Mike Gardiner and number eight Richard Baxter, along with a single Hares conversion, saw Whitchurch open up a 22-7 half time lead.

And it was more of the same in the second period with Tom Crank crossing twice and Jimmy Mullock also scoring. Two more Hares conversions left Whitchurch 41-7 in front before a late Nuneaton try cut the gap.

And Whitchurch President John Gregory was delighted with the result.

He said: "It was a much improved performance from us compared with previous weeks.

"We were fairly comfortable and deserved the result. It was good to get a win because we didn't want to end the season on a losing run.

"We've now got one game left and we will aim to win that one and consolidate fifth place."

Oswestry suffered a 53-19 defeat at new South Lancashire/Cheshire 1 champions Wirral.

The Eagles never really threatened to spoil the promotion party, despite a solid performance.

The home side opened the scoring before Oswestry instantly replied with a score of their own through Chris Hesketh.

That was as good as it got for the visitors as the home side ran in another three tries before the interval to put the result beyond doubt.

Oswestry refused to throw in the towel and enjoyed their best spell of the game at the start of the second half – culminating in a Nick Carlton score.

But some clinical Wirral finishing saw them run in another four tries with Rob Massam's score, converted by Andy Howells, Oswestry's only reply.

By ALEX JAMES