RUGBY: Weekend round-up

KJ Henry on the charge in Saturday's derby between Newbold and OLs Pictures by Mike Baker

The Midlands 1 East derby between Newbold and Old Laurentians at Parkfield Road was slightly closer than in November. A huge crown watched the home side taking the honours 45-12 this time.

Newbold stay third in the table, while OLs are looking more certain of relegation.

This weekend OLs have a home game, with ninth-placed Northampton Old Scouts visiting Fenley Field. Newbold travel to Paviors who are seventh in the table.

Kieran McArdle with the ball for OLs in Saturday's game at Parkfield Road

Rugby Lions kept up their promotion campaign in Midlands 3 West (South) with a 55-3 win away to Shipston on Stour. This weekend they have another attempt to play at Old Coventrians, the fixture twice being called off for a waterlogged pitch. Old Covs go into the game off the back of a 62-10 win at Harbury.

The top of the table reads: Southam 67 points, Evesham 66, Lions, 66, Ledbury 62 and Old Coventrians 58.

Southam and Ledbury have played one game more.

In the Midlands 3 East division, Rugby St Andrews went down 26-7 at eighth-placed Stewarts & Lloyds. Saints are sixth and play local rivals Daventry, who are currently ninth, in their next game on March 5.

Second-placed Rugby Welsh continued their excellent season in Midlands 5 West (South) beating Wellesbourne 7-0 away from home. They are now seven points behind leaders Five Ways Old Edwardians, who are their opponents in a rearranged game this weekend.

Third-placed Keresley are now three points behind Welsh after their 10-10 draw at Copsewood.