Bridgnorth one win away from the title

Any sort of victory at sixth-placed Whitchurch on Saturday would secure them the crown and a place in the National League next season.

The table-toppers entered the encounter on a wobble though after slipping up against third-placed Stratford the week before.

However, having won just three of their 24 matches entering the weekend, rock-bottom Walsall provided the perfect opposition for Bridgnorth to get back to winning ways.

Bridgnorth travel to Whitchurch on Saturday knowing victory would clinch the title.

Bournville beat them this week 27-8 and Bridgnorth won 21-12 on the first day of the season, so that looks like another cliffhanger.

Bournville are four points back in second having played a game more, so must beat Worcester Wanderers and hope Bridgnorth slip up to put pressure on the leaders' final game of the season.

That would not take place until April 30, when Bridgnorth host Hereford.

Newport slipped to a 22-13 defeat against high-flying Old Halesonians in a National Three Midlands encounter with little to play for.

Port put in a battling performance but were ultimately overpowered by a stronger Halesowen team.

The hosts were quickly into their stride, with Liam Holder sinking a penalty after just five minutes.

They added another five points when Rich Harris collected a chip and scored an excellent try.

However, when Port were pressing again, a terrible line-out saw Hales gather the loose ball and gallop 40 metres.

Although the breakaway was initially halted, the damage was done and Hales crossed the line.

Hales kept up the pressure and, after Newport had a man sinbinned for foul language, they edged themselves in front.

Sam Foskett burrowed over to edge Port back in front, but Hales hit back again and eventually held on for a 22-13 victory.

They visit fellow relegated side Old Northamptonians in their final fixture of the season on Saturday.

Second-placed Oswestry kept up the title pressure in Cheshire One after hitting back to pull off a terrific 35-13 victory at Isle of Man side Vagabonds.

Already assured of promotion to the South Lancs & Cheshire One, the Eagles found themselves 13-3 down before rallying to seal a win that closed the gap to two points on leaders Manchester Medics.

The Manchester side do have a game in hand to stay firm favourites, but the Os men will be out to win their last two league outings to ensure they are ready to pounce should the pace-setters slip up.

Those games are both against mid-table Eagle, the first at home on Saturday before visiting the Warrington club on April 30.

After hammering another Isle of Man side Ramsey 79-5 at home the week before, the Eagles flew across the water in good heart to take on Vagabonds where they have won just once.

With the Os men looking a little fatigued following the long journey and making some uncharacteristic mistakes, the home side took the early initiative with an unconverted try before a Fin Grogan penalty cut the deficit.

However, poor discipline from Os saw them lose the ball again, and the hosts scored once more in the corner.

However, the Eagles turned the game around and gained Chris Hesketh broke off a maul and powered over for an unconverted touchdown.

Almost instantly from the kick-off, scrum-half Hamish Fuller fed the oncoming Luca Owen-Youens, who proved unstoppable as he smashed over.

Dan Morgan added another try after the break and his finely-placed kick created a try for Gaz Hughes. Ivor Hughes added the final try on an excellent afternoon for the visitors.