CHURCH Stretton RFC ended their Midlands Four West (North) campaign in style with an entertaining bonus point victory over visitors Barton-under-Needwood, some classy second half tries helping them to a 37-22 win.
Stretton went over for the opening try when lively centre Alex Hearle found space on the left, captain Tom Chard, returning to the starting line-up from a shoulder injury, added the conversion.
Barton got themselves on the scoreboard with an unconverted try following a scrum with the Samurai then losing forward Chris Yapp to the sin bin. But they made light of the loss as they stretched their advantage with a Chard penalty for a 10-5 interval lead.
The home side returned to their natural running game as the second period got under way and soon claimed their second try through winger Danny Harley.
Prop Daran Chard then rumbled over after a couple of phases before Stretton added a brilliant team effort, running the ball from near to their own try-line with Harley rounding things off for his second try.
The fifth was an outstanding individual effort from Hearle. The youngster, fresh from helping the Colts to North Midlands cup success, showed all his pace and agility as he claimed his second of the game.
The visitors edged their way back with two tries before Stretton quashed any faint hopes of a comeback with another delightful try from fly-half Ben Doyle.
The Samurai entertain Bromyard in the semi-final of the North Midlands Vase Plate on Saturday with Cleobury Mortimer also in cup action as they head to Droitwich in the last four of the Shield Plate.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here