WHITCHURCH suffered a frustrating weekend in Midlands One West with the Reds crashing to a 24-0 defeat at Stratford on Avon.

Kick-off was delayed with many Whitchurch players stuck on the M40, only arriving five minutes before the start with no time for a warm-up.

The Reds were caught by an early barrage by the impressive Stratford side.

The Whitchurch pack were able to hold their own and gradually got on top but the home back line proved their superiority with two breakaway tries in the first half.

The second-half saw the wind change direction several times and, coupled with the slippery conditions, made the game unpredictable and messy with mistakes on both sides.

An error strewn period made the match a lottery but it was the home side who scored a converted try.

Whitchurch applied their own pressure but it all came to nought and with time running out a series of missed tackles allowed Stratford to cut through and score again leaving a score that was slightly unfair to the visitors but few would argue undeserved for the home side.

Meanwhile the club was left disappointed after their scheduled NOWIRUL The Right Broker Division Three South clash at Wirral IIs was postponed.

After travelling and taking their place on the field the home side declared its intentions to cancel their first team fixture against Burnage who were also on the field ready for kick-off.

However the bizarre league rules state a second team cannot play unless the first team also has a fixture and as such the second team game was called off.

This decision by Wirral has been queried and an investigation is underway.

Whitchurch IIs remain top of the league with a lead of five points over Sandbach IIs who they play in two weeks time at home.

This is virtually the title decider as Sandbach have a game in hand with a bumper gate expected at Edgeley Park.