Five Ways Old Edwardians 15 Harbury 17

THE visit of the RFU president to inspect Five Ways' fire-damaged clubhouse was unable to inspire the Masshouse side to a cup victory at the club's adopted Ash Lane base.

The Midlands Five West South visitors cruised into a 7-0 lead in the first ten minutes that should have been extended had their centre been able to hang on to the ball with the line begging.

Ways had already had to reshuffle having lost influential flanker Simon Lisseter to injury after just five minutes and it looked like another of those afternoons where nothing would go right.

However, in a change from the pattern from previous weeks, the hosts found the spirit and desire to fight back. The early scrummaging problems were sorted out and they began to make ground through the reliable boot of fly-half Dave Earl.

Having broken into the opposition 22, a scrum was won and the backs spread it wide for Joe Lindley to cross on the left wing and run under the posts allowing Tim Ellis a relatively easy kick for 7-7.

Back Ways came again and a lineout just outside the 22 was cleaned up by Argentinian Mariano Saloman allowing the backs space to run a move which finished with Earl scoring on the opposite wing.

The conversion was missed but, at the break, Five Ways had a 12-7 lead and proceeded to start strongly in the second period with Ellis slotting a penalty to take it to 15-7.

But Eds sat back and a try was conceded to take the score to 15-12 with minutes remaining.

The Masshouse side stayed strong and kept hanging on but every time they cleared back came Harbury.

With five minutes left, it looked like they might resist for a first win of the season but it was not to be as the Harbury winger crossed with just three minutes left.

At 15-17, Ways launched one last gallant attack but Earl's drop goal was charged down.

Five Ways return to league action at St Leonards on Saturday (ko 2.30pm).