Pretty it certainly wasn’t – but Whitchurch weren’t complaining as they racked up their third home win of the Midlands 1 West season.

The Reds ran in four tries as they defeated lowly Stoke-on-Trent 27-10 at Edgeley Park on Saturday.

And they had to do it without skipper Chris Hares, who had been due to mark his comeback from a calf injury but was forced to pull out after feeling pain during the warm-up.

Second row man Gareth Wills went over for the opening try, with Danny Nicholas kicking a penalty soon after.

The north Shropshire side increased their advantage with a Jonathan Fletcher try, though Stoke got a toe in the game before half-time with a superb penalty by Ben Oakley.

Prop forward Russell Lear went over soon after the re-start, Nicholas converting as Whitchurch took a vice-like grip on the game.

Peter White registered the Staffordshire side’s only try of the game, but Nicholas then notched an opportunist try from a scrum and converted himself to complete the scoring.

“It was a little bit of a scrappy sort of game and it wasn’t helped by the referee, but we were always in control,” said Whitchurch president John Gregory.

“One highlight was a brilliant try-saving tackle by Henry Hockenhull midway through the second half.

“He’s only come out of the Colts this year and he’s improving with every game.”

Oswestry secured only their second win of the South Lancs/Cheshire 1 campaign as they beat Duckinfield 19-16 at Park Hall.

Nick Carlton put the Eagles in front with their first try of the game, and Sam Schafer added a second – finishing off a smart move in the right corner just before half-time.

Andy Howell also kicked an excellent 40-yard drop goal as well as two penalties.

Oswestry had led 16-8 at the break but were pegged back due to a number of mistakes.

And they were grateful to Howell for kicking their only points of the second period as they held on by a slender margin.