WORCESTERSHIRE & Herefordshire slipped to a 24-13 defeat against Shropshire in the Iskitz Three Counties Championship final at Old Halesonians.

Worcestershire & Herefordshire were only four points down at half-time after Newport centre Liam Holder converted his own try and then added a penalty.

Malvern’s Ben King kicked two penalties for the Two Counties.

Cleobury Mortimer flanker Tom Leach was driven over for Shropshire’s second try eight minutes into the secon-half and Holder again added the conversion.

A third try from skipper Cleobury’s Paul Hulland, the former Luctonians skipper, which Holder also improved, stretched Shropshire’s lead to 24-6.

Worcestershire & Herefordshire’s persistence was rewarded when scrum-half Richard Thomas (Woodrush) went over for a try, which King improved.

The win completed a successful season for rugby in Shropshire with four county clubs – Newport, Bridgnorth, Cleobury Mortimer and Church Stretton winning league titles – and Bridgnorth also reaching the RFU Intermediate Cup final.

Shropshire went through the season unbeaten having already defeated Greater Birmingham and Worcestershire & Herefordshire in their group matches.