Shropshire name 11 newcomers in squad for RLF opener

17/04/14   by Paul Bolton

Shropshire will be captained by Newport prop Tom Cowell and he will lead a squad that includes newcomers in Adam Sterling, Jake Bates, Nick Davies, Jamie Claire, Jeremy Darley, Joe Northwood, Tom Spinney, Monty Maule, Callum Patterson, David Clark and Ashley Patterson.

The second group match between Greater Birmingham and Worcestershire & Herefordshire on April 29 has been moved from Edwardians RFC to Birmingham Exiles’ Elmdon ground.

Shropshire will ply their home group match against Greater Birmingham at Telford Hornets on May 6.

The top two teams in the group will progress to the final at Stourbridge’s Stourton Park on May 13.

All matches in the competition kick off at 7.30pm.

RLF Three Counties Championship is contested annually by the three Domestic Unions that make up the North Midlands RFU and has given players from outside the National Leagues an opportunity to showcase their talent.

Shropshire squad:
Backs: Toby Mann (Newport), Gareth Bladen (Bridgnorth), Ben Warrilow (Willenhall), Monty Maule (Harper Adams University and Newport), Dave Clark (Harper Adams University), Callum Patterson (Harper Adams University and Newport), Will Crossley (Bridgnorth), Matt Curgenven (Newport), Joe Doyle (Ludlow), Ashley Patterson (Newport),
Will Biddell (Bridgnorth), Henry Hockenhall (Whitchurch), Liam Holder (Newport).

Forwards: Adam Sterling (Bridgnorth), Phil Rogers (Newport), Tom Cowell (Newport – captain), Theo Hodnett (Ludlow),
Jake Goulson (Newport), Jake Bates (Newport), Ryan Arnell (Bridgnorth), John Bucknall (Whitchurch), Jamie Claire (Shrewsbury), Darren Brick (Bridgnorth), Nick Davies (Bridgnorth), Jeremy Darley (Harper Adams University), Luke Kendall (Newport), Joe Northwood (Harper Adams University and Newport), Tom Spinney (Harper Adams University)