Birmingham Civil Service won a North Midlands competition for the first time by beating favourites Ross-on-Wye 29-19 in today’s North Midlands Vase final at Dudley Kingswinford.
Ross were going for a hat-trick of titles in the competition and their fifth Vase in all.
But it was Civil Service who impressed on their first appearance at county Finals Day.
Ross had already wrapped up the Gloucester One title and were fancied to complete a trophy double but they never got to grips with Civil Service’s big pack which meant they could not unleash the dangerous runners in their backs.
Civil Service also had pace behind the scrum as right wing Ryan Clohessy demonstrated when he hacked ahead and outpaced the cover defence to score the opening try after ten minutes.
Fly-half Liam Clarke added the conversion and was narrowly off target with two penalty attempts.
But Civil Service continued to apply the pressure which led to flanker Matt Parvin crossing for a well-worked try which Clarke improved.
Clarke added a penalty late in the first half and Civil Service then impressed in defence, forcing a knock on as Ross drove over the line.
Ross tried to work their way back into the match but their attempt to attack from deep merely handed Civil Service their third try, an interception from Clarke who strolled over under the posts and left himself with an easy conversion.
Ross eventually got on the scoresheet when right wing Craig Smith crossed 15 minutes from time and Alex Jenkins converted.
But Civil Service went back up the other end and scored almost immediately. Clarke was off target with a penalty attempt but Ross’ attempt at a quick 22 drop out landed in the arms of wing Ryan Wiggin who chipped ahead gathered from a favourable bounce.
Ross scored again at the death when Jenkins crossed on the overlap and Thai Hayward from close range but it proved too little too late for the Herefordshire club.
Yardley & District made it an east Birmingham double by retaining the North Midlands Vase Plate with a 40-20 win over Pershore.
Wing Liam White scored a hat-trick of tries for the holders.