MEN'S RUGBY: Draper delivers as ONs maintain unbeaten run

The ONs kicked off and quickly moved into the Oundle 22, with strong carries from Ash Fullthorpe, Zach Draper, Jake Diggin and Jacob Evans.

One final drive took the visitors to the opposition line, and Harry Sanderson picked up and reached over.

Jordan Spittle missed the conversion, but he was on target with a penalty 10 minutes later.

Oundle then deservedly reduced the deficit when Simon New picked up and dived over.

Craig Tandy’s conversion took the score to 8-7 in ONs’ favour at half-time.

Oundle put the pressure on after the restart and Tandy landed a penalty to put his team ahead.

The ONs’ reply was immediate as the restart was collected and patiently moved downfield, with Draper eventually emerging from a pile of bodies as the try scorer.

Spittle’s conversion attempt was wide, but he then kicked his second penalty to take the ONs 16-10 ahead.

Roared on by a sizeable crowd, Oundle then camped on the ONs’ line, but the away side defended well to ensure they have still not been beaten since December 2.

Meanwhile, Old Northamptonians IIs lost 5-0 to Oundle IIs.

Old Northamptonians IIIs were beaten 32-17 by Casuals IIs. The ONs tries came from James Fraser, Sam Nuttall and Greg Chapman.Ali Wood added a conversion during a much-improved second half.

Casuals 22 Long Eaton 31

The Midlands Vase semi-final saw a strong Long Eaton side visit Rushmills for the first time.

The Casuals started well in difficult conditions with a sustained spell of pressure leading to fly-half Niall Lawrence scoring under the posts and Jonny Schoeman converting.

However, an in-form Long Eaton side hit back quickly with three tries and a penalty in 15 minutes, seeing them open up a 15-point lead as half-time approached.

Lee Lawrence crashed over from a lineout, with Schoeman’s conversion bringing the home side back into it at 22-14 down at the break.

The Casuals started the second half well and a penalty from Schoeman reduced the arrears.

A try from Niall Lawrence levelled the game and the home side looked the more likely victors, but Long Eaton took control and three penalties in the final 15 minutes saw them progress to the final.

Paviors 31 Scouts 0

SCOUTS suffered a big defeat in the Midlands One (East) clash.

It was a third successive league loss for the men from Rushmere Road, who have not won since December 15.

BBOB IIs 14 Heathens 14

A CONVERTED try in the 90th minute of this friendly match earned Heathens a draw.

With BBOB scoring two converted tries in the first six minutes of the game, it was looking like a tricky afternoon for Heathens.

The game eventually became an equal contest and Dan Stonehouse delivered a try for Heathens, with skipper Craig Wilson converting.

Ten additional minutes were played in the second half due to a high number of penalties awarded against both teams.

And Heathens took advantage as Stonehouse scored a last-gasp try, with Wilson’s conversion ensuring the match finished level.

Towcestrians 5 Tunbridge Wells 41

TOWCESTRIANS suffered a third successive defeat as Tunbridge Wells took the spoils in the London & SE Premier clash at Greens Norton Road.