Rugby: Shrewsbury 21 Bridgnorth 32

Shrewsbury skipper Simon Evitts paid tribute to Bridgnorth's tactical nous as the visitors came from behind to record a thrilling 32-21 derby victory.

The men from Sundorne Castle looked on course for an impressive victory in the Midlands Two West (North) clash on Saturday.

But the All Blacks roared back with a spate of late tries to overturn a 21-10 deficit in the last 20 minutes.

"We had a couple of players sin-binned and they played some good rugby," said Evitts. "We lost our full-back Tim Andrews and they span it out wide.

"And, when we lost our flanker Dean Lloyd-Hughes, they played it through the middle. I always feared they'd come back at us and they did exactly that."

Bridgnorth ran in six tries, Ricky Wilde running in two to go with one each for Mike Preece, Alex Cooper, Ken Milkins and Paul Markevics. Dan Markevics kicked one conversion.

Shrewsbury had taken the initiative thanks to tries for Dan Harrison, Monty Maule, and coach Keith Fowles. Maule converted all three.

"Shrewsbury are a much-improved side on last year and when they were 21-10 up it was slightly worrying," Bridgnorth skipper Gareth Bladen admitted.

"We showed a lot of character to come back and win it. We really turned it on in the last 10 minutes and everything came together."

Ludlow are four points clear at the top of the table after their 26-9 win at home to struggling Lordswood Dixonians.

The south Shropshire side ran in four tries, the opener coming from hooker Mike Jones, making his debut after joining from Lucton.

Russell Jones also got in on the act while Will Sparrow scored two tries and kicked one conversion. Joe Doyle kicked a drop goal to round off scoring.

By CHRIS HUDSON