Shipston III 17pts, Rugby AEI 3

THE home skipper urged his side to start well and that they did through thunderous runs from the forwards with Brendon to the fore ably assisted by the old back row duo of Forman and Hunter.

The game progressed with Shipston attacking out wide whenever the opportunity presented itself. But it was down to the superb smuggling techniques of Mark Ashworth that gave Shipston the first score.

Rugby replied with a penalty that kept them in the hunt and the midfield of Hoskins, Horton and Horton had to work overtime to keep out the threat posed by the visiting back line.

The first half ended with a score and conversion from James Horton who posed a threat to the opposition with his direct running throughout the game.

The second half saw Shipston continue where they left off and the indomitable spirit of the team came to the fore.

There was an excellent group performance from a gaggle of Hunters playing together for the first time this season, their reward was for Josh to scamper over in the last move of the game for a well deserved try in what is proving to be an exceptional season of great rugby and camaraderie.