SHROPSHIRE won the Robinson Low Francis North Midlands Championship for the first time since 1985 with a 32-16 win over defending champions Worcestershire & Herefordshire at Stourbridge last night.

The combined counties opened up a ten points lead with an early penalty from full-back Simon Mountjoy followed by a try from Mark Gaubert.

Mike Preece pulled back five points with an individual try after 35 minutes but Mountjoy had time to add another penalty before the break.

Shropshire pulled to within a point shortly after the re-start with a try for full-back Pete Burgess, but Mountjoy then found the target with another penalty.

Back came Shropshire with two penalties from Williams, but a missed penalty from Mountjoy after 74 minutes proved important.

Shropshire's pack eventually took control and Worcestershire & Herefordshire eventually buckled as Burgess set up Turner for the decisive try, which Williams improved with the conversion.

Williams then put the gloss on victory when he went over under the posts in injury time and added the conversion for good measure.