Uphill tactic pays off as Whitchurch clinch victory

The Edgeley Park outfit, fourth in the division after that win, had been concerned about their opponents' sloping pitch.

Having won the toss they chose to play uphill in the first half, and they trailed 13-11 at the break.

But their gamble paid off in the second half as they notched up two converted tries and a penalty, whilst keeping their opponents off the scoresheet, to win 28-13.

Chairman Mark Dyche said: "They got their points from the slope but we were just too strong for them in the backs and our defence was awesome.

"We missed the bonus point which would have put us top of the league but it was a good performance."

Berkswell took the lead with an early penalty but Danny Nicholas struck back with a kick for the visitors and Tom Skone put them ahead with a well-taken try soon afterwards.

But the hosts restored their lead with a converted penalty try and both sides traded penalties before the interval.

Nicholas put Whitchurch back in the ascendancy with a penalty soon after the restart though.

And he then successfully converted tries from Ryan Horton and Paul Andrews to ensure victory.

Meanwhile, in National League Three Midlands, Newport grabbed their first win of the campaign at the third attempt at home to Sandbach.

The Forton Road side had lost both of their opening fixtures, at home to Nuneaton and away at Old Halesonians.

But a stellar display by James Curgenven helped fire them to a 27-16 home victory on Saturday.

Curgenven scored a try and kicked three conversions as well as two penalties. Further tries from Sam Foskett and Thomas Cowell added to their tally.

Benny Elliot did his best to rescue the game for the visitors, converting his own try as well as kicking three penalties – he scored all of his side's points on the day.

Newport sit second from bottom despite that win, but are just one point behind nearest rivals Lymm, Sandbach, Syston and Longton.