Halesonians 12

Whitchurch 31

Whitchurch travelled down to Worcestershire for this Midlands One contest and came away smiling and content with a victory that moved them up into fifth place.

The game had been under threat from Storm Dennis but Halesonians ground staff had worked miracles to prepare an excellent pitch which allowed an open flowing game, even it the wind was stronger than either side would have liked.

Whitchurch won the toss and elected to play into the wind in the first half.

The visitors were put under immediate pressure but held out with their renowned defence.

A long drive upfield saw Whitchurch win a line out five metres out and a catch and drive saw Steve Bloore at the back of the maul to touch down in the corner.

The conversion was missed in the swirling wind. Halesonians again put pressure on the visitors twenty two and they finally found a crack in the wall to go through and score.

The conversion was made and the home side took the lead for the first time.

This woke the reds up and they countered immediately with a flowing backs movement which saw young James Marvell show off his sparkling pace to go around the winger to score under the posts.

Nicholas converted.

Whitchurch continued their pressure but were let down by some wayward kicking against the wind.

Just before half time, Joe Mullock crossed the line and the kick was made by Danny Nicholas to give Whitchurch a19-7 lead as the whistle went.

Halesonians must have been expecting the worst as the second-half started with the visitors camped on the home line.

A five-metre lineout was tapped by back the Halesonians tall jumper but it was Jake Bailey who reacted first and grabbed the ball and scored in the corner.

The urgency in the match seemed to peter out as Whitchurch consolidated their position without threatening properly until the 71st minute when Nicholas chipped over the advancing home defence and it was Bailey who again was first to react.

He collected the rolling ball and dived over under the posts.

Tom Skone converted and the score was 31-7 to the visitors.

For the second time in two games, the clock passed the 80 minute mark and the extra few minutes were being played out.

Whitchurch again seemed to have their minds on the warm showers and they let Halesonians, who had hardly had an attack in the second half, to break through a gap out wide and score.

The conversion hit the post and bounced back to leave the score Halesonians 12-31.

The Edgeley Park men will have to up their game this week as they face Stoke on Trent at home in the last match with a 2.15pm kick off.

Stoke may be below Whitchurch but they managed to scrape a home win against them earlier in the season.