Old Halesonians won the North Midlands Cup for the first time in their history with a crushing 52-6 win over past winners Whitchurch in today’s final at Dudley Kingswinford.
Old Halesonians won the North Midlands Shield eight years ago in Gary Cox’s first season as their director of rugby and they delivered the former Moseley hooker the senior trophy in their first appearance in the cup final.
As the higher-ranked club Old Halesonians started as firm pre-match favourites and they justified that ranking by running in eight tries, three of them scored by pacy right wing Luke Smith.
“It’s a big moment for the club, it’s our first senior cup final, we won the Shield when I first came eight years ago so this is a proud moment,” Cox said.
“I’m pleased that we put them to the sword and we didn’t win 10-9 like some of the other finals.
“Typically when we are favourites that is when we don’t play very well like Lichfield in the final league game of the season. When we are underdogs like Hinckley then perform better than we are expected to.
“I’m glad we put a good performance together and scored some good tries.”
Old Halesonians had to come from behind to take the county title after wing Matt Davies kicked an early penalty for Whitchurch but centre Carl Robinson, who was named Man of the Match, then cut through for the first of two tries that settled any nerves Cox may have had.
Smith’s first try was the middle of three scored by Old Halesonians in a nine minute period just before half time with his fellow wing Warren Oliver also getting in on the act.
Davies pulled back three points for Whitchurch with another penalty just before half time but Oliver and back row forward Loz Breeze crossed in the opening minutes of the second half to put the game beyond doubt.
Smith went over for his second from a short side move and brought up Old Halesonians’ half century when he went over from long range to complete his hat-trick.
Bridgnorth completed a hat-trick of wins in the North Midlands Shield by holding off Kidderminster Carolians’ challenge to clinch an 18-13 win.
Bridgnorth, who were beaten in the RFU Intermediate Cup final last Sunday, will not be able to defend their title next season as their league promotion means that they will now enter the North Midlands Cup.
Evesham won the North Midlands Vase by edging out Cleobury Mortimer 10-9 in the opening final of the day.
The introduction of Plate competitions for sides beaten in the early rounds of the three main tournaments meant that there were six finals in all at Dudley Kingswinford.
The most poignant of them was Woodrush’s 29-15 defeat by Old Saltleians in the North Midlands Shield Plate. The match was preceded by a minute’s silence for former Woodrush chairman Brian Smart who died from cancer last week. His son Steve scored a superb solo try in a losing cause.
Redditch took the North Midlands Vase Plate by the narrowest of margins. They drew 12-12 with Church Stretton but then won a goalkicking contest to take the title.
Bromsgrove won the inaugural North Midlands Cup Plate by beating hosts Dudley Kingswinford in the final.