TWO TRIES in extra-time cruelly denied Worcester Wanderers a place in the final of the North Midlands Plate as they lost 42-27 to Bromsgrove.
Wanderers took the game to their opponents and opened the scoring when Bill Harling found Mike Dodge with a cross-field to score.
This proved to be a wake-up call for Bromsgrove who notched up 22 unanswered points to open up a comfortable lead. Phil Horton, Ieuan Mustow and Ben Meadows all crossed the whitewash, with Upton slotting home two conversions and a penalty on the stroke of half-time.
But the visitors’ ill-discipline allowed Wanderers to come back into the match as Chris Griffiths and Dodge went over while Bromsgrove had two men in the sin-bin.
Ollie Meadows then levelled with a penalty before a try from Tom Muir gave Worcester a 27-22 lead with five minutes to go. But Dave Lewis touchdown late on to make it 27-27.
Meadows missed a penalty, which would have won the match at the death, and this proved decisive as Bromsgrove stepped things in extra time to claim victory.
Upton stung by Vipers
UPTON’S dreams of playing at Twickenham were ended as Vipers ran out 35-19 winners in the North Senior Vase clash.
Having defeated their opponents in the league earlier this season, the hosts would have been confident of making the next round.
But Upton, who suffered a series of injury set-back in the week, found themselves 14-0 down after a disappointing opening ten minutes.
Sean Roberts got one back for the home side, but Vipers then scored another two converted tries.
Stu Brooks and George Ainge got tries on the board for Upton, but Vipers proved too strong as they ended up with five tries to their name.
Spartans have too much power for Stour
WORCESTER U13 cruised to a comfortable 34-5 victory over Stourport thanks to fine individual displays from Jake Cope and Matt Jarvis.
Spartans dominated the opening period, but they struggle turn pressure into points as tries from Duncan Williams and Jarvis separated the two sides.
Spartans then made a host of changes at half-time, which proved to be the difference as Jarvis touched down for his second try.
Cope then converted his own try to make it 22-5 before Myren Madden and Lewis Coleman went over.