Market Drayton Ravens are edged out on the final day
Market Drayton Ravens came up just short in their bid to end their season with a win.
A final day trip to face a Handsworth side needing a victory to stave off relegation from Counties Two Midlands West (North) served up some exciting rugby, but it was the hosts who prevailed 43-38.
The home side got off to a blistering start with two tries. Ravens hit back when Dan Bolton powered over on the right, but Handsworth broke through to score twice more.
The Ravens responded and drove at the home side line through six rucks and eventually the defence was breached as Alex Gammon powered over near the right touchline. He added a fine conversion to make it 26-12.
Then, straight from the kick-off, Taniela Tabaleka made a break through the home forwards before feeding Jono Salele, who sidestepped the full-back and raced in under the posts. Gammon added the conversion.
Suddenly it was game on and Ravens made it three tries in three minutes when Tom Minshall raced in from 30 metres for a converted try to level the scores at 26-26.
The second half started with Handsworth’s big ball carriers adding another converted try, before a yellow card for Michael Felton and a controversial penalty try and sinbin for Luke Walters put the hosts in charge at 40-33. Another penalty stretched that lead to 10 points, but Walters returned to the field for the final score of the day and make the final score 43-38.
