Home comforts proved again for Oswestry

Already assured of promotion, the border men appear likely to have to settle for second spot after title rivals Manchester Medics also went on a points spree with an 88-3 demolition of Congleton.

That win kept the Medics two points clear at the top, with two games remaining, while the Os side have just one game left, a return trip to Eagle at the end of the month.

Oswestry can only hope the Medics drop points this weekend at home to Dukinfield to take the race into the final day.

Newport's disappointing National League Three Midlands campaign petered out in a poor performance at Old Northamptonians which saw them outclassed.

Northampton rounded off the scoring with the hosts' ninth try on the final whistle to round off a 51-14 success. Newport now have the final of the North Midlands Cup on May 8.

Cock-a-hoop Bridgnorth are already planning for next season in the National League – after overcoming the fear factor to become Midlands One West champions.

Needing two points to win the title, the All Blacks sealed their second successive promotion in style with a 31-13 victory at Whitchurch to earn their place in National Three Midlands next season.

Bridgnorth are nine points clear with a game left at home to Hereford a week on Saturday. And captain Dan Griffiths confessed they were 'scared' at the start of the season.

He said: "We know it will be difficult next season and we'll need a bigger squad, but we've got to go at it and play with confidence and not be afraid.

"At the start of this season we lacked confidence – we were a bit scared to play.

"That was our Achilles heel but we got really competitive as the season went on and we had some really good weeks."

At Whitchurch, Bridgnorth suffered an early setback when Will Biddell was forced off following a blow to the head.

Ed John scored the first try after after 20 minutes, converted by Simon Fletcher.

Whitchurch kicked two penalties but the All Blacks extended their lead when Yarper Rochelle crashed over from a catch and drive.

After the interval Crossley broke through for a converted try to make it 19-6 after a line-out.

A number of scrums failed to just get over but Fletcher managed to get past his opposite number over the line to get the fourth bonus point try and get one hand on the league title, Fletcher adding the extras for 26-6.

Whitchurch were still a threat and their wing touched down in the corner for a converted try.

But Bridgnorth wiped away any prospect of a comeback when Griffiths pinched the ball and scored a try.

Telford Hornets saluted fan power after their 19-0 win against Bishops Castle clinched their second promotion in three years.

Victory sealed second place in Midlands Four West North behind Uttoxeter, meaning they will join Shropshire sides Ludlow, Clee Hill and Cleobury Mortimer in Midlands Three North.#

And first-team manager Roger Bates praised the backing of his side, saying: "I've never seen a crowd like it – there must have been 300 people watching.

"The smiles on their faces showed we've turned the club around. The celebrations went on into the night.

"It was important to finish off with a win even though we'd have gone up anyway by a point, because Uttoxeter beat Barton-under-Needwood 51-8."

Telford have propelled themselves to promotion on the back of an impressive run since the turn of the year, losing just once.