Shropshire rugby round-up: Eagles keep up chase as All Blacks march on

The bonus point win at Granville Park kept the Eagles within three points of leaders Manchester Medics, who themselves took maximum reward with a 54-5 success at Congleton.

With five games remaining, Oswestry are now well-placed for an automatic step up to South Lancs and Cheshire One after opening up a 14-point gap on Isle of Man side Vagabonds in fourth.

Vagabonds were soon up against it and Oswestry struck when a superb move saw fly-half Fin Grogan lay the ball off to centre and man-of-the match Andy Merrett. Their efforts then paved the way for an excellent try for scrum-half Hamish Fuller, Grogan converting from the corner.

This try galvanised Vagabonds, but they were kept at bay by some terrific disciplined defence.

After clearing their lines, Oswestry earned a penalty which Grogan converted for 10-0.

The visitors again pressed and got on the scoreboard with a penalty.

The Manx men pressed again, but Luca Owen-Youens countered with a kick and chase. Oswestry turned over the line-out and from a ruck Scott Double sent flanker Zac Baldwin over for a 15-3 half-time advantage.

Oswestry put together some excellent moves in the second period, fine offloads and good rucking and mauling enthusing their supporters.

Vagabonds landed a penalty, but a splendid team move saw speedy winger Jamie Luckett go over for 20-6.

After repelling the next spell of Vagabonds pressure, Oswestry enjoyed a second try for Baldwin which Grogan converted.

A slick training move resulted in an unconverted try for second row Mike Davies as Oswestry stretched away.

Vagabonds came back with a pushover try in the corner to show they were still up for the fight.

But the Eagles had the last word and underlined their credentials with a sixth try when Owen-Youens and winger Ivor Hughes combined for the latter to score, the try converted by Grogan.

On Saturday, the Eagles are away to Moore as they gear up for another tough match in their pursuit of league honours.

Midlands 1 West

Bridgnorth reckon strength in depth is vital to their title bid after extending their lead at the top of Midlands One West.

The All Blacks' 30-20 win at Burton made it 14 straight victories for Dan Griffiths' side and stretched their advantage to nine points over second-placed Bournville with just five games left.

Bridgnorth's latest success was achieved without the services of Will Cross (hamstring) and Jimmy Gore (illness), while Calum Madden (back) was only well enough to be a replacement and Richard Hooper missed the game to get married. In addition, Elliot Brooks (neck) was injured in the game.

"We had a lot of lads out at the weekend – virtually the whole of the back line had to be reshuffled with three or four players from the seconds," said steward Ian George. "It just goes to show that the 30 players we use are that important.

"We're the same as anyone in that it's really difficult to keep the same team, so having a squad is a big thing and the seconds are as important as the firsts."

Gareth Bladen started the scoring with a quick tap and go penalty but the hosts went in front after their forwards drove for the line with Bridgnorth unable to get sufficient numbers behind the ball to prevent a converted score.

At the other end, Darren Brick fed Ryan Smeilus to steam over and Will Biddell added the extras.

A five-metre scrum to Bridgnorth gave Bladen his second try but a penalty to Burton made the score 17-10 before an injury to Brooks held play up for a few minutes.

Sam Alvey replaced him but the home forwards again outnumbered Bridgnorth in loose play to secure another converted try to level at 17-17.

Biddell's penalty restored Bridgnorth's lead before Madden was yellow-carded and the resulting Burton penalty levelled again.

Bridgnorth were again indebted to the boot of Biddell as a superb long-range penalty put the All-Blacks back in front at 23-20.

As Burton tired, Alex Grainger and Matt Farrington created gaps for Brick to score and Biddell sealed it with the last kick.

This Saturday Bridgnorth host seventh-placed Stoke looking to complete the double after winning 11-3 away ear.

Midlands 4 West (North)

Telford Hornets avenged a previous defeat at the hands of Church Stretton in some style with a 43-0 home win.

The Hornets are a much-improved side since then and had the game wrapped up by the interval when they led 33-0.

It took just seven minutes for Telford to score, Jamie Vidor crossing after a powerful run. Hornets were dominant in the scrum and continually pushed their opposition back.

However, Vidor and Henry Sankey had to be alert to snuff out the Stretton threat, and the former then took his second try as Telford countered with some slick passing among forwards and backs. Stefan Hildred converted for 12-0.

Scrum-half Joe Evans linked up with hooker Steven Monk for the third try after 27 minutes, again converted by Hildred. Four minutes later flanker Matthew Bird finished off a fine move near the posts, Hildred adding the extras.

Second row Russell Fletcher has been putting in good strong runs over the last few weeks, and four minutes from the interval crossed for the fifth try. Hildred converted.

After some changes with an eye to what will probably be a physical game against Aldridge next week, Telford extended their lead when Vidor completed his hat-trick. A reshuffle saw veteran scrum-half and coach Paul Keen take to the field with Joe Evans moving to fly-half. Centre Sankey's try rounded off the scoring. The win moved Hornets up to third place in Midlands 4 West (North).

Bishop's Castle and Onny Valley were edged out 15-8 at home to Barton-Under-Needwood.

In Midlands 3 West (North), Clee Hill played some of their best rugby of the campaign in a seven-try 46-5 romp at home to Cannock.

There were two tries apiece for Geoff Newman, Robbie Jordan and Charlie Evans with wing Craig Breakwell also crossing and 11 points from the boot of Allan Sheilds.

"At times it was the best we have played this season," said skipper George Evans. "We gave the ball some width and played with a smile on our face."