Rugby: Whitchurch v Stoke

Whitchurch have turned to a familiar face - by appointing Nigel Ashley as their new coach for the second time.

Ashley succeeds Ginge Wills, who left last week, at the helm of the north Shropshire side.

And it's a real case of déjà vu as Ashley also took over from Wills when he left first time around back in 2002.

The new man has agreed to steer the Reds through to the end of the Midlands One West season - and got off to a dramatic start with a last minute 19-18 victory over Startford-upon-Avon on Saturday.

"Nigel Ashley coached us the first time Ginge left and we are delighted to welcome him back," said club president John Gregory.

"He will fill in until the end of the season and we will see where we go from there."

Whitchurch looked to be heading for defeat against Stratford but pinched a dramatic victory with a Danny Nicholas penalty just 30 seconds ahead of the final whistle.

The game had been nip and tuck, the Reds taking the lead with a try from No 8 Jimmy Lloyd, converted by Danny Nicholas.

The two sides then traded penalties - Jake White for the visitors and Nicholas again for Whitchurch. But the scores were level when Dan Whitby went over for Stratford on 34 minutes and White converted.

Two Whitchurch penalties from Nicholas gave them a first half lead but a try from No 8 Jonathan Richardson meant there was just one point in it at 16-15.

White then kicked his side back in front just three minutes into the second half and that looked to have won it until Nicholas' late intervention.

Oswestry slipped to a 29-13 defeat away at Ashton-on-Mersey, though they have still moved above Sale - who are bottom after being deducted 20 points.

Sale were punished for fielding a 16-year-old as a front row replacement when RFU rules stipulate they must be at least 18.

The deduction was originally 30 points but was improved to 20 on appeal.

The Eagles managed tries from Richard Owen and Tom Thorpe at Ashton, Gareth Hughes hicking a penalty.