Rugby Union
Defeat sees Eds fall down the table

Newcastle (Staffs) 36 Edwardians 15

Midlands Three West (North)

EDWARDIANS fell to fifth place in the table following Saturday's defeat at Newcastle.

The contest proved an entertaining spectacle throughout as the two sides produced some excellent rugby whilst playing in the right spirit from the first whistle to the last and although Eds ended up defeated, they will look to get back to winning ways when visiting Wednesbury on Saturday.

Newcastle put the first points on the board in the fifth minute with a converted try after chipping the ball over the defence but Eds fly half Dave Grey responded with a penalty to get his side on the board.

The next 30 minutes proved scoreless as defences were on top but the stalemate was finally broken with a penalty for the home side.

By half time they had stretched the lead to 17-3 with a second converted try giving them breathing space going into the break.

Two more tries in quick succession at the start of the second half, one of which was converted, saw Newcastle take complete control but Eds kept plugging away, building up good amounts of phases without being able to find a way through the home side's defence.

Eventually their patience paid off though when a series of forwards moves off the base of the ruck led to prop Gareth Symes finding a gap on the five-metre line to dive over.

The score seemed to rally Eds as moments later a similar series of forwards moves led to second row and pack leader Matthew Gill finding the try line for a second score in as many minutes, making it 29-15.

Newcastle were to have the final say though when, with Eds fighting for a losing bonus point, they drove over the line again for converted score.

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