Shropshire retain Three Counties title

13/05/14   by Paul Bolton

Shropshire were able to include strong contingents from both of those clubs for the Three Counties final and held off a strong Greater Birmingham performance.

Shropshire had beaten Greater Birmingham quite comfortably in the final group match at Telford last week but Greater Birmingham had reinforced their pack with Zak Feau’nati, the former Samoa international, making his first appearance of the season.

Greater Birmingham also contained Shropshire’s back three better than they had at Telford but Shropshire were rewarded for another cohesive performance and pulled clear in the second half after they had been restricted to a 15-12 lead at the break.

Greater Birmingham capitalised on the early sin-binning of Shropshire wing Ashley Patterson and scored the opening try through Old Yardleians scrum-half Tom Grocott while the holders were down to 14 men.

Edwardians fly-half Mark Coulson added the conversion and Shropshire than had two tries disallowed from wing Joe Doyle and Bridgnorth full-back Will Biddell.

But Shropshire’s pressure eventually told when Doyle went over for an uncoverted try which was soon by a similar effort from Newport lock Jake Goulson.

Doyle’s second try stretched Shropshire’s lead to eight point but Greater Birmingham hit back just before half time when Veseyans centre Matt Hipkiss crossed for a try.

A penalty from Patterson early in the second half settled Shropshire and flanker Jami Claire of Shrewsbury then went over for a try that Patterson improved which effectively decided a hard-fought final.

Shropshire continued to press and hooker and captain Tom Cowll (Newport) was driven over, with Patterson converting, before Bridgnorth’s hard-working number eight Darren Brick put the seal on victory with the sixth try late on.

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