Bishop's Castle 27 pts Harper Adams 23-

CASTLE completed a wonderful season when they won the Shropshire Cup for the first time, a superb complement to go with their promotion to North Midlands One.

They showed the tremendous spirit that has characterised their play this season when they twice came from behind to snatch the prestigious trophy from the very fit agricultural students at the Forton Road headquarters of Newport Rugby Club.

Urged on by almost 300 enthusiastic supporters Castle put their opponents under early pressure and took the lead with a Matthew Willcock penalty.

The students came surging back and took a 15-3 interval lead thanks to a penalty and two tries, one of which was converted.

With a lot to do Castle started the fight back with a second Willcock penalty and then looked to their powerful pack to get them back in the game.

They responded magnificently and dominated the third quarter to pin Harper Adams in their own 22 metre area. With a constant stream of quality ball, Castle took the lead when their backs ran in two tries through winger Darren Homeward and scrum-half Mark Willis, both converted by Willcock.

The students stormed back to level with an unconverted try, and with seven minutes left to play took the lead with a penalty.

Once again Castle responded and number eight Andy Jarvis picked up at the back of the scrum to drive over, the unfailing Willcock adding the extra points.

Superb Castle defence held off a final flourish from the students to lift the trophy after an enthralling game, both teams completing the evening with celebrations which went on long into the night.