Aldridge ease into third round of National Cup

"It shows where the players have got to with their expectations when the players are disappointed after scoring 10 tries..." said Head Coach Jon Arch immediately after the game.

The coaching team were able to shuffle their players a little this week to give some players a rest, but those who stepped in performed admirably, led by Lee Stokes. Right from the start of the game Aldridge showed their improvements from last week. The kick off was caught, drove forward and then we cleared our lines; a marked improvement on the 40 second try conceded the previous week.

Within 2 minutes Scrum half Brad Russell had been put over for the first try of the game after a great offload in the tackle from Prop Ellis Garratt. ...And the tries continued to follow, first Chris Balmforth got the first of his brace, then wingers Ben Tal (who had an outstanding game), and Nick Yates glided over both score superb tries (TRY OF THE SEASON CONTENDERS??), alongside a try from full back Adam Morris who was put over following a lovely pass from Dan McKenna. Despite losing influential back row Ben Drinkwater after just 10 minutes, the club were able to bring on last seasons 1st XV player of the year Adam Butler off the bench - its nice to have options... Centres Ben Eden and Dan McKenna punched big holes in the midfield all afternoon which then allowed the forwards great go forward ball; there as a slight lapse in concentration just before half time which allowed the spirited Redditch team to score.

HALF TIME 29 - 7

The second half was very similar, Second Rows Liam Burlace and Jordan Russell provided the engine room and young hooker Jack Robbins and prop forward Luke Russell were industrious at the breakdown, alongside the back row. Further tries followed as first replacement back row Josh Reynolds, then replacement 10 Harry Baldock and Adam Butler, with his first try in the first XV extended the lead. Redditch deservedly scored a couple of tries, before further tries came from Josh Hetherington who capitalised on a break from Ryan Bowen, and Chris Balmforth scored his second.

FULL TIME 62 - 19

Tries: Adam Morris, Ben Tal, Nick Yates, Brad Russell, Chris Balmforth (x2), Harry Baldock, Josh Reynolds, Adam Butler, Josh Hetherington
Conversions: Brad Russell (x5) Harry Baldock (x1)

HEAD COACH - JON ARCH
"I'm happy - to score 60 points against any team is great - Redditch never gave up and battled right to the end, some of their rugby belies their league position and the result to be honest... most pleasing was that the players were not happy, they know we blew 4 or 5 very good scoring opportunities in the first half and similar in the second.

The line out and scrum were both very good, especially with so many changes - today was Jack's first game at hooker and i thought he did great, and massive thanks to the pack for looking after him. Our back line looks very good at the moment, Ben Eden hit some hard lines in midfield and the work rate of both wingers and Adam Morris was amazing. Big shout out to Second Row Liam Burlace, he is looking leaner and stronger and at 6ft 7in is now having a massive influence on a game both in attack and defence.

We will have tougher games this season, but we retained focus and intensity right to the last minute, the guys on the bench made impacts, and Adam Butlers response to be being rested to the bench was perfect. A couple of guys took knocks but we hope to have them available next weekend as we host Aston Old Eds. Training numbers are still great, Harry and I have some work ons still especially in defence but we have real competition for places this season which is great.

There are some good team in this National Cup but on our day we believe we are more than a match for any of them."