Five-star Halesonians get fifth straight victory

Third-placed Hales travelled to take on sixth-placed Bromsgrove and came away with a 35-15 win.

Despite a rocky start against the strong home side – who put 12 points on the board in seven minutes – and a loss of Tom Jordan through injury, Hales powered through the match.

A Steve Leach try converted by Oli Rayner put the Hales back in the match, but the score failed to be taken any further by half-time.

The second-half saw the Hales return stronger, but they were penalised for offside and a penalty against was converted.

After 55 minutes, Hales worked down the field with a string of running phases by Loz Breese, Jay Martin and Ben Barkley.

The pack supported and the backs and spread the ball wide through Robinson to wing Joe Oxford, who sprinted for a score in the corner, converted by Rayner to bring them within a point.

Straight from kick-off, they wrestled the lead from their hosts as Chris Hooper crossed, converted by Rayner.

And two further tries followed in the closing stages from Dave Hadkiss and a penalty try – both converted by Rayner – sealed their success.

They welcome table-toppers Hinckley on Saturday, who narrowly lost to Lichfield 35-32.

Fourth-placed Stourbridge return to action this weekend at home to second-placed Sedgley Park in National Two North.

Rock-bottom Walsall suffered their fifth consecutive loss to Stratford-upon-Avon, while Dudley Kingswinford lost out 24-10 to fourth-placed Worcester Wanderers in Midlands One West.

Kidderminster Carolians lost 32-23 to Stourbridge Lions to exit the RFU Intermediate Cup on Saturday.

They travel to Moseley Oak in Midlands Two West North on Saturday, while the seventh-placed Lions welcome Wolverhampton.

In Midlands Three West North, Wednesbury celebrated a narrow 23-22 victory against Clee Hill.

The game started off slowly for both sides, but Clee soon capitalised on Wednesbury's mistakes, scoring their first try and went on to lead 22-3 at the interval.

Wednesbury improved in the second half, their forwards winning the ball in the scrum and line-out, while captain Dale Doughty used his considerable bulk to drive through Clee's defence.

Pushing the Clee defence back towards their own line, Dan Blake secured a try and Adam Avey added the conversion.

Ten minutes later, Wednesbury were awarded a scrum with Lee Allwood scoring another try, no conversion.

With all this pressure from Wednesbury, Clee Hill had very few opportunities to increase their score, giving away penalties, from one of which Adam Avey converted.

With time ticking by, Wednesbury won the ball in midfield, winger Jack Harris ran down the wing evading desperate tackles to go over in the corner for the winning try.

Wednesbury welcome Barton-under-Needwood second-team on Saturday. In Midlands Four West North, Rugeley – who welcome Aldridge next – lost 24-12 to Upton in a cup match.