RUGBY: Wins for Newbold, Saints and Welsh

Lloyd Warner in Newbold's 49-10 win over Wellingborough PICTURE BY MIKE BAKER

Third-placed Newbold maintained their excellent run in Midlands 1 East, beating Wellingborough 49-10 at Parkfield Road.

Wellingborough are now seventh. This weekend Newbold play their re-arranged game at Matlock, who beat Old Laurentians 21-19 on Saturday, lifting them up to 12th in the 14 teams. Disappointed OLs stay bottom. This weekend OLs travel to fourth-placed Kettering for their rearranged game.

Rugby St Andrews climbed to fifth in Midlands 3 East (South) after their 42-39 win at 11th-placed St Ives.

Paddy Larchet in Lions friendly with Earlsdon PICTURE BY MIKE BAKER

Rugby Lions played a hastily organised friendly against Earlsdon 2nds after league opponents Pershore pulled out of their fixture, unable to raise a team.

Pershore are currently bottom of Midlands 3 West (South) and the awarded points lift Lions to second in the table on 56 points, just one point behind leaders Evesham on 57.

Old Coventrians - Lions’ opponents away this Saturday in a re-arranged game - are third with 53 with Ledbury and Southam both on 52.

In other games played in the division, Cheltenham North beat Old Coventrians 30-26, Evesham beat Ledbury 23-8 and Southam beat Old Leamingtonians 32-29.

Rugby Welsh recorded a fantastic five-point win over Birmingham Exiles, switching places with them to go third in Midlands 5 West (South). This weekend Welsh play a Clonmel Cup game at Alwyn Road against Long Buckby 2nds, kicking off at 2.15pm.