Newport breathe life into their survival fight
Newport gave themselves a glimmer of hope in their battle to stave off relegation from National League Three Midlands.
They hit back from 25-17 down at Lichfield to win 27-25, Liam Holder landing a crucial nerveless conversion to bring the win.
Holder made an early impact, drawing the last man after linking with Ash Paterson and Henry Vaka to send Neil Weston in.
Lichfield responded with a try from 60 metres out, but Newport stole a home line-out through Steve Byrne and this time Vaka fed Holder who raced over and landed a difficult conversion for 14-5.
After an exchange of penalties Byrne was yellow-carded for a red zone infringement. Lichfield kicked the penalty, scored a converted catch and drive try and then crossed for another seven points.
However, Holder's long-range penalty pulled Newport to within a score and they found it when Vaka ghosted in. Holder, who had an immaculate match, added the vital extras.
Bridgnorth maintained their Midlands One West title charge with a 39-22 home win over Leek.
They led 13-9 at the break, thanks to Darren Brick's pushover, and a quick burst from Brick for another score after Leek were offside made it 20-9.
Tries from Simon Fletcher and Will Biddell ensured victory as Bridgnorth opened up. Their game opponents scored a try, but Mike Preece's fine pass set Biddell clear for a fine score.
Whitchurch had no such fortune, going down 37-6 at home to Stoke-on-Trent.
Clee Hill skipper George Evans thinks his side had been naive after leading 22-3 at the break at Wednesbury only to lose 23-22 in Midlands Three West North.
Evans said: "We probably played our best half of rugby first-half and worst half of rugby all season second-half,. I can only put it down to thinking the job was done. We were probably a bit naive."
Clee enjoyed two tries from George Newman and one from Ryan Home, before Wednesbury hit back and scored the winning try in the final seconds.
In Midlands Four West North, Church Stretton beat and drew with Bishop's Castle & Onny Valley – in the same game.
The match doubled up as a league and cup fixture and, with the score at 80 minutes 17-17, the league spoils were shared.
But the Samurai scored two tries in extra time to go through 27-17 in the cup.
Fourth-placed Telford Hornets fought out a 15-15 draw at Bromyard, third, after trailing 15-0 thanks to tries from Peter Jones, Henry Sankey and Adam Edwards.
