A LAST-GASP try snatched Cleobury Mortimer a famous win in a dramatic derby at Clee Hill in Midlands 3 West (North).

Clee led for over an hour but were cruelly beaten when Cleobury’s Dave Shorter went over for a match-winning touchdown in added time.

Gutted Clee Hill skipper Matt Bowen admitted: “It was an excellent game and I couldn’t have asked for any more from the team.”

Cleobury led with a penalty from Dave Leach?but Clee began to dominate and edged in front when the outstanding Charlie Evans went over for a try and Ryan Home kicked a terrific conversion.

Much of a tense second half was played in the middle third - both sides missing penalties - but with five minutes left the Cleobury scrum wheeled the Clee eight and it seemed to inspire the visitors. With the referee indicating the last play of the game, a series of drives sucked in the Clee cover and some quick-thinking from Dave Leach saw Ed Lewis put Shorter over in the corner to spark some wild celebrations.

Like Clee Hill, Church Stretton also had to ponder on a case of might have been after coming within seconds of toppling Midlands 4 West (North) leaders Barton-under-Needwood.

The Samurai, 18-0 down with 15 minutes left, pulled out all the stops to lead 19-18 with three minutes remaining. But their hopes of a memorable win were also dashed in the final seconds.

Stretton’s fightback started after they gained a man advantage when the home side infringed once too often. The forwards set up centre Henry Beer to crash over, with Dom Bradburne adding the extras, and fellow centre Tom Ward then powered through to score in the corner.

The league leaders were then shocked as the Samurai went in front. The ball was recycled by the pack before being worked to replacement Tom Price, who stormed over. Bradburne converted for a one-point advantage.

With the seconds ticking away, the hosts were awarded a penalty. Will Malcolm was sin-binned for not retreating 10 metres as Barton tapped twice, giving the ball to their giant prop, who was brought down stretching for the line. He looked to have moved twice, but the referee judged the try was good.

Bishop’s Castle were disappointingly beaten 22-7 by visiting Bromyard. They started well but Bromyard poached two tries to lead 10-0 at half-time.

They scored again at the start of the second half before Castle replied with a well-worked try from No.8 Pete Bevan. The game was there to be won but it was Bromyard who pilfered a fourth touchdown and a bonus point.

Castle coach Darren Price said:?“We were beaten by the better team. Not having a game the previous Saturday seemed to affect us.”