Delighted Whitchurch claimed maximum points from their league clash with Camp Hill – and sealed a place in the semi-finals of the North Midlands Cup at the same time, writes CHRIS HUDSON.

The Reds were 32-24 victors in what was an entertaining encounter at Edgeley Park, running in four tries to put the memory of defeat to county rivals Ludlow a week earlier behind them.

And, with the game doubling up as a North Midlands Cup clash as well, there was twice as much reason for celebration at the north Shropshire club.

“On a very hot Saturday afternoon, there was some reasonably good running rugby played,” said Whitchurch president John Gregory.

“It was good to get back to winning ways and it’s good to go through to the semi-finals in the cup – though we don’t yet know who we will have to play next.”

Whitchurch came back from conceding the first try to lead 22-7 at half-time, with scores from full-back Henry Hockenhull, No 6 Tom Hares and second row Olly Bates. Danny Nicholas kicked two conversions and a penalty.

In the second period a further try from Hockenhull, plus a conversion and another penalty for Nicholas, put the home side 32-10 up at one stage.

And though Camp Hill replied with two more converted tries, they were unable to get close enough to earn a bonus point.

Ludlow were given a “wake-up call” as they slipped to a 34-10 defeat at home to Worcester Wanderers.

The south Shropshire side took the lead with a breakaway try from Will Sparrow, which was converted by Will Norton.

They still lead 7-6 at the break but caved in the second half as Worcester ran in four tries while the hosts could muster only one more Norton penalty.

“They were a good side and we had a bit of a wake-up call,” said spokesman Phil Norton.

“With 15 minutes left on the clock we were still pushing for a bonus point but they were always the better team so we could have no complaints.

“They beat us in the scrum, shaded us in the line-out and they were much more hungry for the loose ball.”