Woodrush down

IT WAS not hard to understand why these two sides languish at the foot of the table. In an error-strewn game Woodrush failed to capitalise and punish an equally poor Stourport side.

The result probably consigns Woodrush to North Midlands One but that may be no bad thing. On this performance they would face another struggle for survival if they remain where they are.

Playing with the strong wind in their favour in the first half, Stourport managed just one try and Martin Leech missed two straightforward penalties for Woodrush, one in front of the posts.

Woodrush played a more active role in the match in the second half but let themselves down with a number of wrong options, unforced errors and a lack of discipline.

Stourport stretched their lead with a penalty before Paul Witham crossed the line to narrow the gap. A now buoyant Woodrush had victory within their sights.

But they gave the game away when a scrum on the half-way was turned into a penalty - this was moved on another 10 yards after more back-chat - the kick was placed in the corner and from the resulting lineout Stourport crashed over.

Woodrush now need to beat Dunlop Coventry convincingly this Saturday to avoid finishing bottom of the league and it will not be clear how many sides are relegated until the National Leagues are concluded sometime in May.