NORTH Midlands made heavy weather of overcoming Leicestershire to book their place in the semi-finals of the Tetley's County Shield with a 22-13 win at Coalville.
After leading 12-0 at one stage, North Midlands went 13-12 down until a late penalty from skipper Duncan Hughes and try from Malvern centre Mark Eastwood, which Hughes also converted, rescued them.
North Midlands will now have home advantage against Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire in the semi-finals at Stourbridge on Saturday.
Tries from wingers James Aston (Moseley), his third in two games, and Tom Beechey (Stourbridge) the second converted by Duncan Hughes, gave North Midland the lead but they then had prop Adam Sturdy and flanker Glenn Eager sin-binned.
Leicestershire capitalised with lock Adam Muggleton scoring a try and Dan Yuill scoring with the boot.
North Midlands were in danger of crashing out of the competition but Leicestershire also had two players yellow-carded enabling the visitors to secure a second win on the trot.
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