Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two

Oswestry 18

Liverpool University 7

Oswestry Rugby Club’s first XV kept up the pressure on league leaders Vagabonds (Isle of Man) with their third win from three games against Liverpool University.

The victory puts Oswestry five points behind the top spot with two games in hand.

In what was an even first half, neither side was able to get themselves ahead on the scoreboard.

The youth and speed of the University men made life difficult for Oswestry who could not brake the defensive line.

Oswestry dominated the scrums but sadly gave away too many penalties thus cancelling out any advantage gained.

With the score at 0-0 at half-time, the Eagles were looking to use their experience to their advantage and get the better of the side.

It was not long into the second half until the hosts took the lead – a charge up the field started by Nick Clay and Connor Crompton found Mike Evans-Jones who was able to skilfully find some space and kick through the posts to put his side three points ahead.

The first points of the game pushed Oswestry on to get more.

After a yellow card for one of the Liverpool men, Oswestry used the one-man advantage and pushed forward, eventually crossing the line for the first try of the afternoon, courtesy of Connor Blair.

A missed conversion meant the score stood at 8-0 in Oswestry’s favour, but that was increased again moments later when Kele Raturoko got a try on his debut, which was converted by Mike Evans-Jones to make it 15-0.

An illegal challenge later in the afternoon saw Oswestry awarded a penalty, which Evans-Jones converted calmly to extend the lead to 18 points.

Oswestry were playing really well, but the Liverpool team carried on trying and their patience was rewarded with a gap allowing the winger to score under the posts. The kick was converted, and the score stood at 18-7 until the final whistle.

Oswestry will face Port Sunlight away on Saturday.

Meanwhile, it was a weekend to forget for Oswestry’s second XV as they lost 97-0 away at Prenton.