Worcestershire & Herefordshire Under-19s retained the Houghton Harries Shield by edging out Greater Birmingham 20-15 in the final match of the tournament at Birmingham Exiles.
A late penalty from Alex Gardener of Dudley Kingwinford clinched victory for the defending champions after Greater Birmingham had reduced their lead to two points.
Worcestershire & Herefordshire, who edged out Shropshire 13-12 in their opening match at Bromsgrove, used their pacy backs to create pressure which led to Kidderminster Carolians fly-half Freddie Morgan crossing for the opening try which he also converted.
A penalty from Greater Birmingham’s Jake Lines reduced the deficit but only briefly as another flowing move set up Hereford wing Leon Parsons for W&H’s second try.
Forward pressure brought Greater Birmingham a close range try early in the second half which reduced the gap to two points.
The turning point came when Greater Birmingham lost possession in attack and wing Josh Winfield of Kidderminster Carolians gathered the loose ball and went the length of the pitch for an unconverted try.
Greater Birmingham caused some anxious moments for the reigning champions when they scored another unconverted try but Gardener settled the nerves with his late penalty.