Pershore 18 pts, Nuneaton Old Edwardians 31

NUNEATON clinched the title after Saturday's win having arrived at Piddle Park with a 100 pet cent record.

Pershore made them fight all the way but, in the first quarter, conceded three silly penalties for minor infringements and the visiting kicker duly drilled them all through the posts.

The home side responded and began to get some phases of play together. The pressure paid off and Robin Haines kicked two penalties.

The rest of the first half was a battle where Eds attacked and Pershore defended well to leave the match finely balanced at 9-6 at the break.

The second half was a great spectacle. Nuneaton won most of the possession but Pershore's defence was up to the task, frequently thwarting their opponents just as they seemed set to break through.

Eventually the pressure told and Eds were rewarded with two tries, both from catch and drives from line-outs.

Pershore heads didn't drop and a break from Haines and then Pullin released Richard Jenkinson who outpaced the covering defence to touch down. Haines narrowly missed the conversion.

Nuneaton seemed to put the game out of reach when they scored a pushover try from a five-metre scrum but this Pershore team is made of stern stuff and back they came to dominate the last quarter.

Quick rucked ball and fast hands in the backs enabled Gareth Lewis to slice in between the opposite centres to touch down. Haines converted.

Nuneaton held on to record 16th league success and the championship, leaving the losers to look back on a spirited show in which Alex Peel and Adrian Hanson shone.

On a day when the lead changed hands no fewer than nine times, Pershore's second team gave another creditable performance as they overcame Bromsgrove's third string 27-26.

Pershore started the stronger and, following some good running and handling in the backs, Ian Townsend went over for his first try for the club.

Bromsgrove hit back with a converted try following a penalty close to the Pershore line.

The game continued in this vein with the two teams exchanging scores at regular intervals.

Further tries from Nigel Jones, Damo May, Pete Reynolds, Greg Shaw and a conversion by Mark Saunders ensured a Pershore win.

There are still fundamental errors in Pershore's play that need addressing, which can't be rectified on match days. Only participation and commitment on the training ground will see these problems overcome.

English Clubs Championship

Midlands Three West (South)

P W D L F A Pts

Nuneaton OEs 16 16 0 0 554 119 32

Old Covs 16 13 0 3 454 233 26

Ledbury 16 12 0 4 366 294 24

Silhillians 16 11 0 5 399 171 22

Pershore 16 9 0 7 292 247 18

Keresley 16 6 0 10 219 312 12

Southam 16 5 0 11 204 331 10

Old Leam's 16 5 0 11 216 400 10

B'ham Exiles 16 3 0 13 191 418 6

Evesham 16 0 0 15 172 542 0

Powergen Midlands Two West

P W D L F A Pts

Old Laurentians 20 15 2 3 459 223 32

Derby 20 14 1 5 609 253 29

Stafford 20 14 0 6 424 325 28

Bedworth 19 11 0 8 328 242 22

Hereford 19 11 0 8 421 338 22

Sutton Coldfield 20 10 0 10 394 371 20

Newbold 20 10 0 10 288 330 20

Stratford 20 7 3 10 309 359 17

Camp Hill 20 7 1 12 299 376 15

Leamington 20 7 1 12 297 470 15

Wolverhampton 20 5 0 15 276 565 10

Dixonians* 20 4 0 16 273 525 6