CLEOBURY Mortimer pulled off a shock victory in the first round of the RFU Intermediate Cup when they beat visiting Newport 11-8 in an absorbing contest.

The last time the teams met three years ago Newport won the Shropshire Cup tie 77-3 and the home side were expecting another titanic struggle.

But the home side produced a performance with tremendous spirit and came from behind twice to book their place in the seocnd round.

New coach Micky Groves would have been proud of the display - but missed it because he was getting married on the other side of the village.

The opening exchanges were fierce but Cleobury gradually grew in confidence and only trailed to a try at the break.

Immediately after the restart a quick exchange of passes released hooker Matthew Barnsley who scampered over in the corner to equalise.

The conversion was missed and Newport regained the lead with a penalty, but the home side defended stubbornly and levelled again through a Colin Smith penalty.

Smith then landed another penalty to give Cleobury the lead for the first time with a couple of minutes remaining.

l Cleobury Seconds proved too strong for Bewdley and romped to a 45-0 away success in a friendly match.

Steve Phillips (2), Kevin Shields (2), Chris Gittins, Nathan Smith and Pete Bandford claimed tries, while Shields landed five conversions to take his personal points tally to 20.