Newport left sickened by Syston defeat

The game did not start well for the visitors.

Liam Holder and Harris Mountford failing to communicate in dealing with a Syston cross-kick that sat up nicely for the chasing group to gather and score.

On 22 minutes, Henry Vaka and Guy Kirkby combined in midfield, before putting the supporting Ash Paterson in under the posts for Holder to convert and draw matters level at 7-7.

A Kirk Robinson try put Newport ahead but the lead was short-lived, however, Syston crossing for a well-worked try. An excellent conversion brought the score level.

There was just time for Syston to add a penalty with the last play of an entertaining half.

A controversial decision on 52 minutes by referee Alex James saw Paterson shown a straight red card for allegedly tackling the referee.

Syston soon took advantage to add a converted try and extend their lead to 22-14.

But, within five minutes. Newport had responded after Guy Kirkby had made good ground, the ball was re-cycled and moved to the left.

Vaka wriggled out of several tackles to plunge over, Holder's conversion reducing the arrears to 22-21.

Oswestry's title hopes in rugby's Cheshire South suffered a heartbreaking setback when edged out 23-22 by a late penalty at Moore.

Defeat means the border men lose crucial ground on the leaders. The Eagles are now seven points adrift of high-flying Manchester Medics, who moved closer to the title with a 33-5 victory away to Vagabonds.

Moore, fielding a completely changed team from the one that lost at Oswestry earlier in the season, were up for the battle roared on by their support.

They took a slender 13-12 interval lead and snatched a 23-22 win.

Bridgnorth remain on track for promotion from Midlands One West after their 18th win of the season saw off Stoke 32-21.

Stoke were penned in their own 22 for several minutes from the kick-off but Bridgnorth opted not to go for the points when a simple penalty chance arose.

The decision paid off and, after some huffing and puffing, Gareth Bladen eventually crossed for a try. In-form full-back Will Biddell added the conversion and two further penalties to put the leaders 13-0 clear.

Bridgnorth's reshuffled pack struggled during the opening half and two front row offences brought the visitors six points before the break.

Both sides played running rugby with Will Crossley, Simon Fletcher, Richard Hooper and Darren Brick gaining ground for Bridgnorth, but a drop goal saw the deficit cut further.

Against the run of play, Sam Alvey found himself with space on the left wing and he used his considerable speed to score in the corner.

Nick Davies also powered over for Biddell to convert and, when Biddell added a converted try of his own, the lead was 32-9.

Stoke didn't give up and, although Mike Preece joined the Bridgnorth defence, some indifferent tackling got the visitors to within 10 metres of the hosts' line.

They ignored a simple penalty chance, opting for the set scrum, and as Bridgnorth collapsed were awarded a penalty try.

To make matters worse, Brick received a yellow card and Stoke were back in the game. Talented runners tested Bridgnorth and only a last-ditch tackle from Ben Rochelle saved a certain try.

But, in the dying minutes, Stoke did score an unconverted try to pull within nine points at the finish.

Whitchurch enjoyed a big 33-3 home win over bottom club Walsall.

Ian Gillespie, Tom Hales, Dan Mee and Tom Hollins ran in tries and Robbie Leighton kicked three penalties.

All three Shropshire clubs saw their lingering hopes of promotion from Midlands Three West North take a hit with defeats on the road.

Ludlow, Clee Hill and Cleobury Mortimer were all beaten while top two Newcastle and Tamworth both won.

Ludlow went closest, edged out 27-23 at Burntwood, while Cleobury were on the wrong end of a 43-8 beating at Willenhall.

Clee Hill had a topsy-turvy encounter at Eccleshall, but eventually went down 29-17.

With a few players making their first-team debuts, they trailed 19-0 after just 15 minutes.

Connor Deignan, Dan Romeo and Charlie Evans all crossed for the visitors who remain fourth, just behind Ludlow and in front of Cleobury.

Telford Hornets are three points off the Midlands Four West (North) leaders after their 34-17 win at Aldridge.

Jamie Vidor, Henry Sankey and Matt Bird scored first-half tries as Hornets went in 17-0 ahead at the break.

Will Brench, Ryan Edwards and Jack Kosbayen crossed the line in the second-half.

Church Stretton took a massive step towards survival with a vital 39-27 victory at Bishops Castle & Onny Valley.

The Samurai came flying out of the blocks with two tries in the first 10 minutes, only for Castle to level by the interval.

But Stretton, who scored six tries – including a brace for Joe Charles – pulled away in the second-half.

The bonus point win sees them six points clear of the relegation zone, with four games left to play.

Market Drayton's revival came to a halt with a 56-12 reverse at Barton-Under-Needwood.