TWO DEFLECTED EFFORTS from Adam Hewitt strengthened Rugby & East Warwickshire’s chances of a top-two finish in Midlands Division One.
Rugby’s first team were 3-1 winners at Edgbaston, where Tom Robson also registered, to keep themselves sitting pretty in second – a single point ahead of Hampton-in-Arden.
The Seconds by contrast were no match for Telford & Wrekin Firsts in Division Two, going down 3-0.
To Rugby’s credit, the scoreline appeared far more respectable thanks to their overall defensive effort, helping the second-bottom strugglers keep the score down against title-chasing Telford.
A narrow 3-2 defeat spelled heartache for the Thirds at Burton Seconds.
After going three goals down in the first half, two from Alex Salter threatened a comeback, though Rugby & EW were ultimately unable to lift themselves from second-bottom in East Midlands Premier.
Rugby’s Fourths are up to fifth in South East Division One after romping to a 7-2 rout over Tamworth Seconds.
Richard Cook starred with a hat-trick for the hosts at Hornton Crescent, while teammates Rob Hedderwick, David Manning, Nick Foster and Lee Marriott were also successful in finding the net.
In Division Two, the season-long battle between the club’s Fifths and Sixths continues to rumble on.
While leaders Northampton Saints Fifths appear out of sight, second place still appears very much up for grabs.
Currently, it is the Sixths who remain in the driving seat, following two goals from Charlie Darbyshire in a 2-1 win over Warwick Fourths that keeps them a point clear of their inter-club rivals.
The Fifths were also successful, dispatching of Berkswell & Balsall Common 3-0.
Bradley Ferris’ brace and a Giles Morrison effort helped accrue a comfortable lead in the first half which Rugby then saw out in the second.
Rugby Ladies are closing in on third after an impressive 3-2 victory over Stourport Seconds.
The first team were good value for the three points in their Midland Region Premier League fixture, thanks to a star showing and two-goal salvo from Kirby Harris, to move a point behind third-placed Lichfield.
Stacey Keeley netted the other, finishing off a well-worked corner routine.
Olton Thirds were too strong for the Seconds in their Warwickshire League Division One clash, running out 3-0 winners at Princethorpe College.
Despite the loss, Rugby stay sixth.
The story remains very much the same for the Thirds in Division Three, who stay third after a 2-1 win over Khalsa Leamington Fourths.
Nadine Bell and Regan Walker were the match-winners on away soil, keeping them five points behind second-placed Old Silhillians Seconds with a game in hand.
Rugby’s Fourths claimed two draws at the weekend to move up to eighth in Division Four.
Jackie Adlum struck the opener in the eventual 1-1 stalemate with Khalsa Leamington Fifths on Saturday, followed by Sunday’s goalless draw at home to Solihull Blossomfield Thirds.
