By Elliott Josypenko
October 25 2004

Bees players played an important role in this weekends Midlands 18-Group Championship including a try from Luke Smith. East Midlands and Notts, Lincs & Derbsyhire recovered from opening day victories in the new Midlands 18-Group Championship to record double victories today.

East Midlands, who were beaten by North Midlands in the tournament opener, beat Warwickshire at both A and B levels at Wellingborough School. NL&D bounced back from an opening defeat by Leicestershire to record wins over North Midlands A and B at Newark.

But the games between Staffordshire and Leicestershire at A and B levels were postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at Stafford. A meeting will be held on October 27 in an attempt to find a new date.

At Wellingborough School East Midlands won the A game 24-19 with tries from full-back Thomas Elliott (Bedford School), winger Steve Elms (Bedford College) and tighthead prop Tony Swinson (Oundle School). Jack Green (Northampton School for Boys) landed three conversions and a penalty.

Warwickshire replied with two tries from winger Jeff Gregson (Barkers' Butts) and one from full-back Dane Kalcunovich (Nuneaton). Gary Challis (Nuneaton) and Alex Grove (Rugby School)(Lawrence's son) landed a conversion apiece.

Grove also played in the B game where he kicked a penalty and a drop goal in a 20-11 defeat.

Prop Chris Lewis of Solihull School & Pertemps Bees colts scored Warwickshire's try in response to tries from Leighton Buzzard centres Jack Brown and Scott Filler and two penalties and two conversions from Thomas Bridgeman (Wellingborough School and Kettering).

At Newark NL&D won 18-10 at A team level and 10-7 in the subsequent B game. The Nottingham trio of Dave Rhodes, Mike Marshall and Mark Jefferson scored tries in the A game and Dan Mangham of Paviors added a penalty. North Midlands replied with tries from Pertemps Bees winger Luke Smith and King Edward's School, Birmingham number eight Charlie Rees. Bees' colt Mike Hall & Dale Garner also played.

In the B game an early penalty from Paviors scrum-half George Britton gave NL&D the lead which was cancelled out when Moseley centre Jake Savage crossed for a converted try.

A late try from Worksop College prop Ollie Smith, which Britton improved, sealed a double victory for NL&D.

The Midlands 18-Group Championship continues on Sunday October 31 when the six counties will again field A and B teams. The games are: Warwickshire v NL&D at Barkers' Butts, East Midlands v Staffordshire at Wellingborough School and North Midlands v Leicestershire at Kings Norton. Kick-offs at 1pm and 2.30pm.

Taken from www.rfu.com