OSWESTRY found Shropshire rivals Telford Hornets too stern a challenge and fell to a 48-20 defeat in the North Midlands Cup.

The Eagles returned to action for the first time in a month and forged ahead with an early penalty from Iwan Ellis breaking the deadlock.

The Hornets soon responded with the opening try of the game with the extras added and the hosts proceeded to dictate the game from the re-start and increased their lead with a second try.

The hosts continued to dominate the set piece and were only held at bay by some fine last ditch tackling from Tommy Bromage Nathan Sumang and Iwan Ellis.

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Border Counties Advertizer: Action from Oswestry' clash against Telford Hornets. Picture by THRFC.

Action from Oswestry' clash against Telford Hornets. Picture by THRFC.

However the pressure finally told from a line out as Telford crossed for a third try.

Oswestry started to apply their own pressure with the whole pack getting involved as Max Rudd drove through the Telford defence to score with the extras added by Ellis to reduce the arrears to seven points.

Another mistake by Oswestry allowed the hosts to added a fourth try and restore their 14 point cushion before the break.

Border Counties Advertizer: Action from Oswestry' clash against Telford Hornets. Picture by THRFC.

Action from Oswestry' clash against Telford Hornets. Picture by THRFC.

Oswestry rallied before the interval and another successful kick from Ellis reduced the arrears.

Oswestry held out for 10 minutes at the start of the second-half before the home side crashed over a pushover try from close range with the conversion stretching Telford's lead to 31-13.

Telford continued to dominate with a missed tackle allowing them to add a further converted try.

Oswestry had not surrendered and Kele Raturoko managed to intercept a pass and go on a blistering run from his own half only to lose possession with the hosts countering to run home a seventh try.

Border Counties Advertizer: Action from Oswestry' clash against Telford Hornets. Picture by THRFC.

Action from Oswestry' clash against Telford Hornets. Picture by THRFC.

Oswestry attacked and the backs and forwards combined to put pressure on the Telford defence with some slick passing releasing Rory Kershaw who was able to score the second Oswestry try with Ellis converting.

However Telford had the final say and completed the scoring with their eighth try of the day late on to seal their progress.

Oswestry now face their neighbours and league rivals Market Drayton in a must win game to progress into the North Midlands Plate semi-final with the club encouraging all supporters to attend with a 3pm kick-off.

Border Counties Advertizer: Action from Oswestry' clash against Telford Hornets. Picture by THRFC.

Action from Oswestry' clash against Telford Hornets. Picture by THRFC.


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