Droitwich lose out in showdown

The Midland One side overcame their rivals from Midland Four West (South) at a soggy Wyeside and will now travel to Newport for a semi-final clash.

Bromsgrove, who were due to play Old Halesonians in the other semi, will have to wait until April 22 after the game was postponed.

However, the game of the day was undoubtedly at Wyeside where Droitwich, after their fine win over Malvern in the previous round, travelled to Hereford in hope of a cup exit.

The expectation levels were heightened because it was Hereford's second game in 48 hours after a disappointing 14-3 home league defeat to Camp Hill on Saturday.

However, with Hereford resting 10 players for the league game, it showed they viewed the cup competition as a priority.

Hereford's tries came from flanker Simon Lewis, winger Mark White and number eight Andrew Johnson while Droitwich bagged a second half penalty try. That was converted by Matt Blackmore who also kicked a penalty.

Skipper Jason Lewis said that although Droitwich raised their game, he did not believe the result was ever in doubt.

"Droitwich were a solid unit but I think as the match went on our fitness told a bit and there was only one team going to win it.

"We obviously want to go on and win the cup now. We made 10 changes to the side which played in the league so we've made it clear that the cup is now a priority.

"We are safe from relegation in the league with two games to go so we are now concentrating on the semi-final at Newport."

The only concern now will be when the game will actually go-ahead. Newport's season has been disrupted more than most because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

They already have a backlog of fixtures to clear and Lewis believes one solution could be to play the semi at a neutral venue.

"I don't really want to be playing rugby still in the middle of May so something has got to be sorted out. We all want the game to go-ahead as soon as possible."