Club Match
17 Nov 2007
Aldridge vs B'ham Civil Service
A much brighter start meant that we got
a grip on this match early on that we never looked like relinquishing and
with the forwards controlling the lineouts and set pieces; had more than
a fair share of the possession and territorial percentages throughout. Both
flankers, Ben Vaughan and Dave Foster, had excellent games, roaming far
and wide, creating havoc amongst the opposition backs and Tony Kelly once
more dominated in the line out, spending so much time in the air that altitude
sickness was a real possibility.
With 18 minutes on the clock, from a quick penalty, the ball was moved along
the backs to Ben Pittam who with a powerful burst, ploughed over in the
corner. Dave Foster, with a well struck kick, nailed the touchline conversion.
Ten minutes later, after a persistent period of pressure, Eddie O’Neill
was the recipient of a tapped short penalty and promptly trundled through
a gap in the defence for the score. Dave Foster once more obliged with the
extra points.
Service hit back straight away and got points on the board with a quickly
taken short penalty that caught the our defence napping (where have we heard
that before) giving centre Don Callaghan virtually a free run into the corner.
This was quickly nullified just on the half with a fine individual effort
from "Forest" who rounded off a blind side move with a side step
that took him through the cover defence and over the line, out wide.
We were now well on top and, with Eddie (Chikowore) orchestrating things
behind the scrum at No 10 and Kevin Stringer adding some solidarity at full-back,
should have reaped more rewards but a number of chances went astray and
in the end the second half honours were even. Half way through, we got the
drive on from a line out and shoved the visitors back over their line for
Barry Underwood to get the touch down. Service responded with a final flourish
that made a rare sortie up to our neck of the woods. After a period of pressure,
quick hands switched the ball along the backs to present prop James Clarke,
lurking with intent in the opposite corner, a leisurely stroll to the line.
Final score:- Aldridge 24pts - Civil Service 10pts
Aldridge : - Tries: - Ben Pittam, Barry Underwood, Ben Vaughan, Eddie O'Neil. Conversions:- Dave Foster (2)
B'ham Civil Service:-Tries: - Don Callaghan, James Clarke.
3,2,1
3 pts - Ben Vaughan (Sorry, it's the only photo I could find)
2 pts - Dave Foster
1 pts -Tony Kelly
Second Team Result:-
Essington 31 points - Aldridge 0 points
2nd XV Scoreres - Tries:Conversions and Penalty:-
Third Team Result:-
Aldridge points 47- Wheaton Aston 19 points
3rd XV Scoreres - Tries:- Jeff Large (jun) (2), Mark Robertson (2), Stephen Bennett, Adam Reed, Alex Reed, Jeff Large (sen), Mark Birch. Conversions:- Adam Reed (1)
Next week Aldridge are back on league duty. 1sts & 2nds at Home to Cleobury Mortimer
Kick-off - 2.15 pm
