Whitchurch Rugby Club return to rugby in dazzling style last weekend with a win over Stourbridge.

After almost a year away from playing, Whitchurch were able to return to playing rugby and did so in fine style, beating their rivals 26-24.

Playing an altered form of the game where there were no scrums or mauls, the reds went down to Stourbridge with a squad of players from the first, second and colts teams and won an exciting and fast moving game against a much larger and more experienced squad.

The home side went ahead after five minutes, scoring under the posts and converting to lead 7-0.

Whitchurch came back strongly and captain Danny Nicholas, giving an exhibition of fly half play, scored twice and converted both to lead 14-7 at half time.

The second half started with second team captain Bryan Torskijy scoring after a period of sustained pressure.

Nicholas again converted.

Stourbridge now lifted their game and forced the visitors into an error that enabled them to score a converted try.

The game became a little disjointed as both sides mixed the sides, Stourbridge bringing on an entire new team to freshen their attempt to draw level.

However, it was the North Salopians who scored through Brooke Hill, the Colts number eight who found himself playing on the wing.

Hill crashed over in the corner and Nicholas narrowly missed the conversion.

The referee blew for full time and Whitchurch thought that they had won by 26-14 and players began to celebrate when the referee blew again and admitted that he had not meant to blow for full time and the game restated.

Whitchurch did not seem to get up to speed after that and the home side scored two tries out wide, neither of which were converted, leaving Whitchurch to begin their celebrations again.

Coach Noel Speed was delighted at the performance of the squad who had put on a great show despite being without several leading players.

The following day saw the colts lose narrowly to a huge squad away at Stourbridge and the minis whitewashed Newport, outscoring them by an encouraging amount.

The juniors also had a successful day with he Under 13s and U16s beating Crewe and Nantwich, the U15s losing narrowly away to Newport and the U14s beating Shrewsbury.

There will be no game this week as the club is being used for Covid-19 vaccinations.