Shottery reach Warwickshire Vase final with resounding 38-5 victory over AEI Rugby

SHOTTERY are through to the Warwickshire Vase final after a 38-5 win at AEI Rugby on Sunday.

Temperatures on the pitch reached over 25 degrees, but it was Shottery who bought the early heat, pinning AEI back in their own half for the opening 15 minutes.

The hard work paid off when No. 8 Zach Billborough crossed the line for the opening try of the game a few minutes later.

Sustained pressure from Shottery saw the game begin to open up, with the tenacious back row players linking up nicely with the backs for a try for centre Ed Benskin ten minutes later, quickly followed by a quick tap and go try for winger Jacob Taylor-Edwards.

Half-time provided a brief respite for both sides and the second half began with several crunching tackles from both teams.

Within ten minutes Shottery extended their lead through a great team move that started in their own 22, finished brilliantly by scrum half Sam Drew.

Soon after it was AEI crossing the line for their first try of the game, after an ill-advised attempt by Shottery to run the ball out of their 22 again resulted in a turnover.

The closing minutes saw Shottery weather some spirited attacks from a reinvigorated AEI side, before centre Benskin scored his second try of the game, with Billborough rounding out the scoring with his second try in the closing minutes.

A fourth conversion from Benskin saw his personal points tally for the day reach 18, but it was a tackling masterclass from flanker Marcus Williams that secured man-of-the-match honours for the day.

Shottery will now face Old Coventrians in the final at Berkswell and Balsall RFC on Sunday, 19th September.

Kick-off is at 2.15pm with free entry for spectators.