Dunlop 17, Woodrush 8

WOODRUSH’S title hopes in the Midlands Division Three West (South) suffered a setback after they lost to one of their main rivals.

Defeat saw Rush slip to second in the table and leap-frogged into the top spot by their opponents.

From the first whistle it was clear that this was going to be a full-blooded encounter with no quarter being given by either team.

However Dunlop, with a howling gale at their backs, played for field position and engineered a line-out opportunity ten metres from the away line. The catch and drive, despite the initial sack on the catcher by the visitors was well managed and Dunlop crossed for their first converted score on ten minutes.

A strong break out of defence by Jon Ford promised much but the move broke down after a stray pass.

The game was very much in the balance with some huge defensive hits by both teams until a soft penalty was offered up by the away side for not releasing in the tackle and the easy kick was grateful accepted by Dunlop to give them a ten-point lead.

But Woodrush responded with some breathtaking rugby, with the home side stretching every sinew in defence to keep them out.

An easily kickable penalty was spurned for the tap-and-go but the visitors were held up inches short when the ball went quickly out to Andrew Poole on the left wing.

But their efforts were for naught as Dunlop extended their lead to 17-0 early in the second half, after the hosts drove over from a maul.

Dunlop used their dominance at scrums to dictate the game.

Woodrush then lost hooker Lewis Lawlor after he took a blow to the head when he was accidentally caught by a Dunlop player’s knee.

Despite the disruption, the away side pulled a penalty back through Josh Tomlinson.

Sustained pressure then saw Titch Thomas made it 17-8 But it was not to be as a spear tackle on Dan Lavander with ten minutes to go resulted in a dislocated shoulder and with Woodrush running out of resources, the home side closed the game out for a deserved but narrow victory.

With seven games of the season to go, the title race looks very tight, with Woodrush one point behind their rivals and just ahead of third-placed Bedworth because of a superior number of points scored.

They will be aiming to bounce back this weekend when they take on struggling Shipston on Stour at home (2.15pm ko).

Dunlop entertain Harbury, while Bedworth will tackle bottom of the table Manor Park at home.