Oswestry 12

New Brighton 17

Oswestry played host to New Brighton on Saturday as they looked to make it two wins from two.

It was a great start for the home side who scored a try just minutes into the game after a brilliant James Roberts run and Noah Chunsi conversion to put them 7-0 up.

They held the lead for almost all of the first half, until the 44th minute when some intelligent kicking found space in the corner and meant they could run home a try on the brink of half-time.

The kick was missed, so Oswestry went in with a two-point lead at 7-5.

Roberts started the second half in similar fashion to the first and ran in his second try of the afternoon. The kick was missed this time, and Oswestry gave themselves a seven-point lead.

The hosts were reduced to 14 men shortly after Roberts’ try when Scott Smith was given a yellow card for a late tackle.

Oswestry’s backs and pack combined to provide a wall of red and black preventing the visitors from breaking through.

However, the pressure and physicality took its toll eventually and New Brighton scored their second try – the kick was missed at the teams were tied at 12-12.

As players were getting tired Oswestry gave a series of unnecessary penalties which helped the visitors out of their half.

With 10 minutes to play, Oswestry’s Alex Murphy was forced o retire from the game with an ankle injury.

Shortly afterwards, New Brighton were awarded a penalty and kicked for the posts with time running out, however their attempt was missed.

With minutes left to play, the pressure once again proved too much to sustain for Oswestry, and New Brighton crossed the line to score a late try to make the score 17-12.

Oswestry play their last game of the season on Saturday when they travel to unbeaten leaders Aspull.