Salts stay in control to secure vital victory

Midlands Two West North

Bridgnorth 13

Pete Harris crosses the line to score an early try for Old Salts.
Dan Fentham looks to set Old Salts on their way to another attack.
Adam Lee wins line-out ball for Old Salts.
Nicholas Vaughan crosses the line to score for Old Salts.

Old Salts First XV 33

OLD Salts stretched their lead at the top to three points with victory in this physical clash.

Second-placed Lichfield could only draw with fellow high-fliers Ludlow, allowing Old Salts to edge a further point clear.

Lichfield do, however, have three games in hand.

Salts started well and, within two minutes, Pete Harris crossed the line under the posts after a characteristic dodging run. James Mason kicked the conversion.

Bridgnorth responded with a penalty but the visitors remained in control, with some great work in the scrum and safe handling among the backs.

However, the first half was a scrappy affair and Bridgnorth managed to contain Old Salts until Sam Turner touched down right next to the corner flag for a 12-3 lead.

Pressure from Bridgnorth then forced some errors in the Old Salts defence and eventually their pack drove over the line to touch down an unconverted try to close the gap to 12-8 at the break.

Both teams were determined to make an early impact in the second half of the game and it was the visitors who did so.

James Mason kicked up-field and his subsequent chase and securing of the ball placed Salts firmly in the opposition half.

A quick throw-in from Nathan Merritt allowed Tom Lee and Turner to race up the field, ending with the former scoring the try. Mason converted.

Salts were now inspired and capitalising on the lack of cohesion in the opposition, pushing them further towards their line.

A cross-field run from Nathan Merritt opened up the field for Tom Lee, who stepped up the pace towards the five-metre line.

He then passed to skipper Chris Newman who, after a sturdy hand-off, sent two defenders crashing over the line with him to score. Mason converted again.

Old Salts were soon on the hunt again and when Dan Fentham peeled off the back of the scrum, Nicholas Vaughan caught the ball and found space to run straight through the defence to touch down for another easy conversion.

Bridgnorth never gave up and did manage to score a second unconverted try but Old Salts were always in control.

Old Salts Second XV 24

Birmingham Wyvern 21

OLD Salts came out on top by a narrow margin against Wyvern.

Tries from Chris Baker, Carl Kite, John Lamb and George Ward sealed the win. Paul Lee kicked two conversions.