By Coventry Telegraph
March 14 2008

BROADSTREET'S promotion fate is now in their own hands after a superb 14-10 win at Longton took them above their beaten hosts into second place in Midlands One. Playing their third game in eight days, Street went through a curtailed warm-up after a coach breakdown on the M69 and - playing with the advantage of a strong wind in the first half - they were only a point to the good at the break, leading 11-10 through a try and two penalties from Dan Richards.

But Street dominated the third quarter, keeping the ball close to hand as they drove forward, and a third Richards penalty proved decisive as Longton piled on the pressure in the closing stages but were unable to penetrate a determined defence.

The Coventry side are now a point clear of third-placed Luctonians and two up on Longton in the race for the promotion play-off slot with three games left, two of them at home.

Also playing their third game in eight days, Kenilworth bounced back from their midweek Warwickshire Cup semi-final defeat by Street to all but guarantee a second season in the top flight with a 15-12 victory at South Leicester.

First-half tries by pack pair Nick Smith and Francis Nock laid the foundation as Kenilworth turned round 10-9 in front after facing a strong wind, and Jez Noon added a decisive third try to make it three successive wins over top five sides.

Newbold and Barkers Butts are both relegated from Midlands Two West after defeats.

Leading 6-0 through two Joss Andrews penalties after half an hour, Newbold capitulated in the final quarter at home to Cheltenham North and conceded four late tries to go down 34-6.

Barkers went down 22-7 at Burton, contesting throughout and collecting a try right at the end through colts winger Aaron Devoy - making his debut as a replacement - to give them some reward.

Stratford were on course for an upset win at leaders Malvern, taking a 14-8 advantage into the break with Andrew Pritchard adding three penalties to an Alex Hazell try, but the home side clawed their way back to secure a 22-14 win.

Bedworth grabbed a vital win in their struggle to avoid relegation from Midlands Three West (South), coming through 10-0 at bottom side Edwardians.

Full-back Duncan Carter kicked 17 points for Nuneaton Old Edwardians in their 32-13 home win over Stourbridge Lions.

Earlsdon secured a 19-12 success at Berkswell & Balsall, while Leamington gave leaders Sutton Coldfield a tough test before bowing 22-13.

Old Laurentians suffered their fourth successive defeat. going down 36-12 at Kidderminster Carol-ians after leading 12-5 in the second half through tries by Ricky Reed and Danny Murch. Silhillians went close to beating second-placed Droitwich, who scrambled an 8-7 home win.

Second-half tries from Stuart Lee (2) and Andy Cox steered Old Coven-trians to a 27-12 win at Woodrush, but they surrendered second place in Midlands Four West (South) on points difference to Ledbury, 53-3 winners over Worcester Wanderers.

Dunlop scored three tries against the wind - two by front five forwards Aron Jarvis and Tim Pitman - and winger Tom O'Toole added his own second after the break in a 24-0 home win over Shipston.

Old Leamingtonians - who play Dunlop in Sunday's Warwickshire Shield final - also warmed up with a win, sweeping aside Evesham, 71-10 at The Crofts.

Leaders Spartans are only one win away from the title after their 40-13 victory at Southam, and Copsewood went down 42-11 at Kings Norton.

Rugby St Andrews wrapped up the Midlands Five West (South) title in style, a 55-12 home win over Manor Park extending their unbeaten league run to 16 matches.

Defeat pushed Park into a relegation fight as Harbury stunned second-placed Upton-On-Severn with a 17-14 home win to move to within a point of their Nuneaton rivals.

Alcester dropped back into the bottom two as they were beaten 17-5 at home by Dudley Wasps, and flanker Dave Wilks celebrated his 40th birthday with two tries as Pinley turned in their best performance of the season to beat Pinley 29-10 at Wyken Croft.

The top four sides in Midlands Six West (South East) are covered by two points in a promotion race likely to go right down to the wire.

Leaders Stoke Old Boys included hat-tricks of tries from Tom Kent and Jamie Brewerton in a 70-19 home spree against Rugby Welsh, while Old Wheatleyans dented the hopes of below-strength Coventry Tech by beating them 53-7 to move above them into second place.

Coventrians remain in the mix as well after an excellent 45-14 victory at Atherstone, winger Rowan Aitken and fly-half Chris Simons scoring two tries apiece.

Winger Matt Waters was on the hat-trick mark for Trinity Guild in their 52-6 victory at Coventry Saracens.

Broadstreet in the home straight

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 14/03/2008 06:08

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
14/03/2008 06:08

Broadstreet in the home straight

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