Rugby union
Impressive Woodrush push champions all the way

WOODRUSH achieved a moral victory on the final day of the Midlands Three West (South) season as they outscored champions Earlsdon by two tries to one in a 28-20 loss at Icknield Street on Saturday.

The difference between the two sides was the Earlsdon fly half who had his kicking boots on and converted five penalties - two from the halfway line - and two drop goals.

For the second week running, the Woodrush pack out-scrummed their opposition and went ahead with a Steve Smart penalty

Then, against the run of play, the Earlsdon centre intercepted a Smart chip and ran through from the halfway line virtually unopposed.

The visitors stretched their lead to 16-3 before second row Luke Russell forced his way over for Woodrush following a rolling maul and Smart converted but Earlsdon added another penalty to give a half time score of 19-10 in their favour.

In the second half the Woodrush forwards began to dominate but could not convert it into points until the last quarter when No 8 Matt Playford forced his way over from close range and Smart added the coversion to bring the score to 25-20.

But, just as Woodrush looked the likely winners, with Earlsdon infringing at three successive five-metre scrums, a free kick was awarded against Woodrsh for 'foot up' and the pressure was off.

Earlsdon then sealed victory with another drop goal in the dying minutes of the match but Woodrush, who finished sixth, can take huge heart from this display.

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