Woodrush 29, Aston Old Edwardians 35

WOODRUSH gave higher league opponents a scare with a spirited fight back in the North Midlands Shield on Saturday at Icknield Street.

The home side were trailing 35-10 in the second half but three late tries gave the Division Two West (North) strugglers a real fright.

The visitors took an early lead with a try in the corner after some slack defending by Woodrush but Steve Smart landed a penalty to narrow the gap.

Aston converted two penalties themselves before the referee awarded them a controversial penalty try after an alleged trip to make the score 18-3 to the Birmingham side.

But a good try by Woodrush Hooker Paul Moppett, coming through on the crash ball, converted by Smart, kept the score to 18-10 at half-time.

In a crazy spell at the start of the second half though, lack of discipline from Woodrush allowed the visitors in to score three tries in the space of ten minutes and open up a 35-10 lead.

This was a wake-up call for Woodrush, who raised their game again and hit back emphatically.

Centre Andy McGrann took over the captain's role and moved to scrum-half and rallied the troops.

Winger Ed Lerna came on and also made a difference, scoring mid-way through the half with Josh Tomlinson converting.

Matt Playford crashed through for the next, again converted by Tomlinson and Lock Luke Russell powered his way over for the last Woodrush try which brought the score to within six points.

But ston clung on to their slim lead though in the dying minutes and go through to the next round.

Woodrush resume the Division Three West (South) at mid-table rivals Pinley (2.15pm start).