An under-strength North Midlands Under-18s side battled hard but were beaten 15-5 by a more powerful Warwickshire at Stourbridge’s Stourton Park this evening.
Warwickshire, who had already beaten Staffordshire, were heavier up front and forced North Midlands to live off scraps of possession for most of an attritional contest.
There were few opportunities for the North Midlands backs to impress but some tenacious defence restricted Warwickshire to a 10-0 lead at the interval.
Left wing Myles Bean, Warwickshire’s major threat in attack, crossed for a well-worked try to open the scoring and fly-half Jamie Shillcock crossed for a close range effort just before the break.
But North Midlands started the second half brighter and reduced the deficit to five points when Malvern College number eight Piers Morell went over unopposed from a cleverly worked short-side move.
Full-back Tom Waller (Malvern College) was off-target with his conversion attempt and Warwickshire soon restored their ten points advantage when number eight Lewis Cavanagh went over from close range.
There were no more scoring opportunities for North Midlands who were without six players because of AASE League commitments.
North Midlands play their next match at this age group against Staffordshire at Walsall on October 22 (7.30pm).