PERSHORE Rugby Club could not cap off a magnificent season with success in the Midlands Three play-off at Newport as they fell 25-12.

By finishing second in Midlands Three West (South), just one point behind Barker Butts, they had already ousted the likes of Hereford and Stratford.

With plenty of injuries and a relatively small first-team squad, Pershore are rightly proud of their achievement.

In a typical game of two halves, Newport galloped out of the blocks with a large crowd behind them.

Pershore held tight but Newport's major weapon, the driving maul from the tail of line-outs, took effect.

They grabbed an unconverted try from five metres out and then followed a calamitous 10 minutes for Pershore.

Newport extended their lead to 20-0 at the interval with two tries, one converted, and a penalty. But in the second-half Pershore were tremendous, showing ability and the right attitude.

They were disappointed not to gain a penalty try and Newport were lucky not to have two players sent-off, though three were sin-binned.

Pershore did score two tries through Kris Bassett, converted by Robin Haines, and Jem Richardson with a great pick up and dummy.

However, Newport grabbed a try on the stroke of full-time through a rare attack. Pershore touch judge Fred Cooper also completed his feat of officiating at every match this season.