OSWESTRY ended second best in a battling 10-0 defeat at home to Clee Hill in division two of the West Midlands League on Saturday.
The high-flying visitors arrived at Oswestry as strong favourites while the hosts were keen to give Hill a bloody nose in front of a large crowd which was buoyed by a host of fixtures being called off across the county.
Credit should be given to the ground staff for making sure that the game could be held while many fell to the weather across the region.
The conditions favoured Clee Hill in the first-half and they were quick to kick the ball deep in the Oswestry half putting pressure on the hosts.
Oswestry put up a strong defence but fell foul of the referee who penalised the hosts for a number of offside decisions.
The Clee Hill forwards managed to force Oswestry back allowing the pack of Clee Hill to drive the ball over the line and score the first try.
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Oswestry held out and some spirited play by Iwan Ellis and Connor Crompton saw the home side driven forward but could not break a hole in the Clee Hill defence.
After 35 minutes Clee Hill finally broke through the Oswestry defence and were able again to use their driving maul to their advantage and score another try.
The kick was missed and Clee Hill took a 10 point lead going into half time.
The Oswestry scrum looked strong after the break with Guy Howell coming on to start the half to strengthen the pack.
Oswestry were able to keep the ball in the Clee Hill half and press the visitors with the wind advantage.
Good play came from Cameron Breen with his power driving into Clee Hill along with centre Ed Evans while Nathan Sumang showed his pace by chasing the kicks and putting the Clee Hill full back under pressure.
The game ended with no scoring in the second half and Clee Hill continued their winning ways while leaving Oswestry to dust themselves down ahead of next week’s trip to Stourbridge Swifts when the Eagles bid to complete a league double over their hosts.
As customary in the clubhouse each captain awards a man of the match for each team Oswestry gave the honour to their skipper Charles Evans and Clee Hill gave the award to Connor Crompton.
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