RFU Intermediate Cup

Whitchurch 7 Droitwich 19

Whitchurch’s showpiece final at Twickenham were shattered when bowing out of the RFU Intermediate Cup at the hands of Droitwich,

Both sides had gone into the Midlands final with unbeaten records in their respective leagues. Droitwich – last season’s beaten finalists in the Senior Vase at Twickenham – now stand just one game away from a return to rugby’s headquarters when they host York in the national semi-finals at the end of the month.

It was a disappointing day for the Reds who had gone into the tie with high hopes on the back of a 17-match winning run in the Midlands Two West (north).

The Reds also paid the price for conceding no fewer than 23 penalties, and had yellow cards for forward Tom Hollins and Tom Furnival in the first half.

Droitwich started with purpose and took the lead when flanker Aron Middleton rumbled over from a fourth minute line out, and centre Ed Wormington added a difficult conversion.

Reds second row Hollins was then sin binned following an infringement at the breakdown. and the visitors extended their advantage with a close range try for lock Sam O’Brien.

Despite being under further pressure following No8 Furnival’s first yellow card, Whitchurch held firm and, with just a 12-point deficit, they had realistic hope of retrieving the tie in the second period.

But the game swung decisively in Droitwich’s favour after 53 minutes when they were awarded a penalty try after wing Phil Shore was high-tackled by Furnival.

And to rub salt in the wounds, the Reds were down to 14 as it was the forward’s second yellow card.

Despite a player down, the Edgeley Park men reduced the deficit when tight head prop Tom Hale powered over from close range and Ryan Horton converted.

But further Whitchurch pressure went unrewarded, and Droitwich were able to close out the game and move one step closer to another trip to Twickenham.