Rugby Union
Edwardians are back on track

Buy photos » Eds captain John Ferdinand crosses the try line. (s)

Edwardians 34 Cleobury Mortimer 6

Midlands Three West (North)

EDWARDIANS bounced back from last week’s Midlands Vase disappointment to secure a sixth league victory of the season that leaves them one point behind leaders Newcastle in second place in the table.

A cagey opening was ended when Cleobury kicked a penalty go 3-0 ahead but Eds gradually found their feet and they scored the game’s first try through Dan Johnson, scrum half Chris Lowe added the conversion and in doing so took his personal points tally for the team to 250.

Eds were taking time to build phases but when awarded a penalty it gave them chance to kick for position and an attacking line-out.

The forwards successfully won the ball and fed the backs which resulted in captain John Ferdinand running a nice line to cross for an unconverted score.

Johnson then fed Evans to repeat the feat but Cleobury closed the gap to 17-6 at half time with their second penalty of the afternoon.

Good defending kept Cleobury at bay at the start of the second half before Eds stepped up the tempo and a nice break from centre Morgan Hope allowed him to find Johnson running another good line for his second try of the afternoon.

Now showing better continuity, Eds introduced Chris Matravers at prop and Jack Gilmore at scrum half to earn his first team debut.

With conditions becoming more difficult it was Eds who continued to cope the better and they went 27-6 ahead when vice captain Matt Gill crossed.

Superb footwork from John Corr allowed him to stretch the lead further and Dean De Vere’s conversion completed the scoring at the end of a good afternoon for the home side.

Eds travel to Eccleshall on Saturday.

Regional sport »