Rugby: Bridgnorth 36 Moseley Oak 5

Bridgnorth laid down an impressive marker for the Midlands Two West (North) campaign with a convincing opening day 36-5 win over Moseley Oak at the Edgar Davies Ground.

And delighted club spokesman Bob Turner feels the omens are good as they look to follow in the footsteps of county neighbours Ludlow, who won this division last term.

"In a really impressive team performance there were 15 candidates for man of the match but in the end the majority vote went to Colin Campbell," said Turner.

"Based on this week's performance, Bridgnorth look set to have a very good season."

Campbell gave the hosts the lead when bursting through four tackles and touching down close to the posts, presenting Stephan Hidred with an easy comversion.

Calum Madden added the second try, with Hildred again converting to establish a 14-0 half-time lead. Moseley briefly threatened a fightback with a pushover try in the second half but Bridgnorth then ran away from them.

A Hildred penalty extended the lead before skipper Gareth Bladen went over for the third try following a super dummy.

Campbell then bagged his second try of the day to secure a bonus point and the experienced Ken Milkins completed the scoring with a try in the corner.

Shrewsbury went down 38-27 away to Lordswood Dixoninans in their opener, leaving skipper Simon Evitts to rue what might have been.

From 19-3 down at half-time, the county town side reduced the deficit to two points – only to go to pieces in the last 20 minutes.

Tries from Simon Crippin and Evitts, both converted by Mattie Morris, had got them back in the contest.

But Dixonians added three more tries of their own, rendering a late score from Rob Sankey as no more than a consolation.

"We were all over them at the start of the second half but then the wheels came off," said Evitts.