Club Match
3 Nov 2007
Aldridge vs Ludlow II's
Well beggar me! A wyne, a winn, a whin,
a win. (It’s been so long I’ve forgotten how to spell it).
It was a close run thing though and despite making a belated attempt to
snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, it all worked out well in the end.
A lively Ludow side produced a competitive
and hard fought match throughout. Possession was about even but we probably
shaded the game on the territorial percentages. Following an un-enterprising
first ten minutes, when we struggled to contain the opposition’s vigorous
start, we slowly got on terms and began to get play into their territory.
The forwards built up the momentum and started to exert a lot of pick and
drives on the Ludlow line which culminated with No 8 Eddie O’Neill
finally burrowing over for a try. We probably didn’t make the most
of our advantages from this point and towards the break Ludlow responded
and forced us back on to the defensive. We reacted slowly to a quickly taken
5m penalty and were still retreating when Ludlow No8 Mark Gaubert drove
over. Luke Bowen added the extra points to give the visitors a 5-7 lead
at the interval.
We had much the better of the second half with the new look back row of
Kelly and Foster leading things throughout. The threatened score was a long
time coming though and it wasn’t until the last ten minutes that we
managed to get a strangle hold on the opposition line and make our ascendancy
count. It was down to the forwards again with a pushover try accredited
to O’Neill, his second of the afternoon. We seemed to have the upper
hand at this stage and began to show more enterprise in the backs which
was nearly our undoing. Some sloppy distribution set up an interception
for Ludlow centre Simon Colin to run the length of the field and dab down
by the posts. The conversion from Bowen gave Ludlow a lead which, with the
clock rapidly running down, began to look increasingly unassailable. The
opposition’s plan was simple - to get the ball into our territory
- as far away from their line as possible. A deep kick into the 22m had
us scrambling but some hurried interpassing eventually got the ball to Lea
Ross who attacked the short side, drew the cover and with a well timed pass
despatched speedy winger Alex Yates round the defence and into a 60 m foot
race into the corner. A fine conversion from Foster sealed a hard fought
but well deserved victory which hopefully we can use as a launch pad to
pull the rest of the season round.
Final score:- Aldridge 17 pts - Ludlow 14pts
Aldridge : - Tries: - Eddie O'Neill (2), Alex Yates. Conversion:- Dave Foster
Ludlow :-Tries: - Mark Gaubert, Simon Colin. Conversions :- Luke Bowen (2)
3,2,1
3 pts - Tony Kelly
2 pts - Alex Yates
1 pts -Barney Balmforth
Second Team Result:-
Woodrush 24 points - Aldridge 15 points
2nd XV Scoreres - Tries:Lennie Jaep, Mark Robertson. Conversions and Penalty:- Barry John Jaep
Third Team Result:-
Aldridge 24 points - Bourneville IV 10 points
I've been asked to state that this match was dedicated to "Cannonball" who declared that it marked his retirement from the first class game. He's going to risk entering hospital to have his "knees done". Best of luck CB.
3rd XV Scoreres - Tries: Paul Hubbard (3), Shaun Walker. Conversions:- Dave Foster, Steve Broadhead
Next week Aldridge are back on league duty. Away at Bloxwich.
Don't forget the early kick-off - 2.15 pm
