Drayton down as Shrewsbury eye promotion

Halliday ran almost the length of the pitch to score his team's fifth try in a 42-17 victory at Edwardians which tightens their grip on second place.

Saturday's victory, which keeps Shrewsbury four points clear of third-placed Handsworth entering the final weekend of the season, was his last game for the club before he goes travelling for a year.

Halliday, a former Shrewsbury School pupil, is expected to go to university after he returns home from his travels but it is hoped he will eventually return to the club.

Skipper Simon Evitts said: "It was a great send-off.

"He's off travelling this week so he can't play the last game of the season.

"This was his first season for us and he has ended up playing a good majority of the first-team fixtures.

"He's scored some really good tries, he's got some serious pace and we are hopeful he will be in and around the club for a long time."

Shrewsbury took a 17-0 half-time lead against their fourth-placed opponents thanks to a Joe Hearl penalty and converted tries by Nick Smout and Dan Harrison.

A further Hearl penalty, an unconverted Pete Thomas try and a Tim Andrews converted touchdown added to their tally before Halliday's late dash.

The win means victory for Shrewsbury against Handsworth on Saturday will rubber-stamp promotion.

At the other end of the table Market Drayton's relegation back to Midlands Four West (North) was confirmed by a 40-8 drubbing at basement side Yardley & District.

Drayton had gone into the game needing to win and hope third from bottom Wednesbury lost to Bloxwich to keep their survival hopes alive entering the last weekend of the season.

But both results went against them confirming their return to the division below after just a season in Midlands Three.

Craig Woolley scored Drayton's try and George Minshall added a penalty but Yardley, who are also down, jumped above them in the table.

Clee Hill's chances of replacing them for next season were given a big boost as they defeated Midlands Four West (North) leaders Harborne.

Their 25-19 triumph keeps them two points clear of third-placed Cannock and they can wrap up promotion by beating rock bottom St Leonards.

They had to battle back from 14-0 down to beat Harborne with a Luke Bowen brace, a Guy Hampton try and George Edwards's touchdown helping to turn the scoreline on its head. Craig Breakwell added the extras.

Meanwhile Cleobury Mortimer, fourth, beat Greyhound 20-0 while Bishops's Castle, fifth, defeated Warley 34-7.