Still work to be done

After the excesses of last week, this week’s friendly versus Birmingham Exiles was all a bit of a disappointment. We made a lethargic start and while we were searching for some coherency, looked increasingly vulnerable to a confident and lively home side. The opening score came after just four minutes with Exiles hooker Kieran Walter charging over into the corner. The game then became more even with both sides sharing territorial spoils and working to create opportunities. It was almost half time however, before the next score was posted - by Exiles winger Carl Cane crossing mid way out and No 10 Dan Johnston converting. In the final minute of the half, at last developing some consistency, we got centre Louis Durrant over out wide following an efficient move along the backs. Full back Alex Yates converted to reduce the margin to 12 – 7 at the break.
The advantages held by our forwards in the second half could have been used to greater effect but the open game plan prevailed which proved costly. Extravagant passing led to handling errors which were snapped up by the opposition and used to good effect to thwart our promising revival. Tries by centre Tony Shackleton and Will Leckie, both converted by Alex Warrilow, made the lead look unassailable but we kept battling and now, increasingly with the upper hand, began to carve out chances of our own. A typical solo effort from Adam Reed, converted by Alex Yates, made inroads into the margin and gave rise to some optimism but other chances went begging. With time running out prop Tony Harbutt bludgeoned his way through to touch down out wide to make the final tally - Birmingham Exiles 26pts – Aldridge 19pts.