Team performance leads to tough away victory

Despite being forced into some late changes as Neil Smith (heel), Ed o'Neill (Ankle) and Ed Tonks (Chest Infection) Aldridge put in another fine performance against Bromyard RFC from Midlands 4 West South in the RFU National Junior Vase Midlands Division.

Bromyard are a tough outfit and have started the season strongly with just one defeat to date, but this was a game that Aldridge would not lose. The control shown was simply outstanding from the first minute to the last. We collected the kick off and 4 minutes later with 100% possession (with just a single break for a scrum) fly half Josh Atkin glided through a gap to score. Alex Yates added the extra points in what was a faultless kicking display with 3 conversions and a penalty.

It was a tight game with the pack in the ascendency in the set piece but unfortunately we were coming off second best in the loose at times. That said a break from Ryan Bowen was quickly recycled by the forwards for Dan McKenna to create the line break before a sublime offload to wing forward Adam Butler to score.

With a 17-14 half time lead, soon after the break came the try of the game, with centre Dan McKenna scoring from nearly 70 yards out with a mixture of pace, running lines but mostly power - even the Bromyard fans applauded.

Aldridge then stepped up a gear and had 25 minutes of almost total domination, big carries from the front row trio of Lea Ross, Luke Russell and Ellis Garratt, alongside the engine room of Liam Burlace and Jim Arnold, Aldridge controlled the ball and only our own failure to execute or ill-discipline cost us further tries. Ben Drinkwater and Lee Stokes were simply everywhere, covering the Bromyard attack which simply relied on getting the ball wide - Adam Morris at 15 pulled off a number of fine tackles as their attacks were halted.

With 15 minutes to go, Bromyard scored, a touch disputable try as Aldridge were adamant that at least one player was under the ball preventing grounding. So 24 - 19 and time still on the clock, panic time? Not today, Harry Baldock returned at 9 and then Aldridge played clever rugby, retained the ball, and should have actually scored again. Never mind - full time and Aldridge move into the next round.

Tries: Atkin, Butler & Mckenna
Cons: Alex Yates x 3
Pens: Alex Yates

Head Coach Jon Arch:

"I'm really pleased - to travel over 70 miles, missing a number of key player and put in that sort of performance is simply great. The way we started, the bit in the middle and the way we ended was all about controlling the ball then executing the attack once we had run through our patterns. That was my message before the game and at half-time.

Stokesy and Forest were simply awesome today with their defensive work, and our line out and set piece with the returning Lea Ross at the heart of it was nearly faultless. To me though it was a day for everyone to stand up and be counted; Loose Head Luke Russell in particular put a real shift in again - that's two weeks in a row he has played 80 minutes and today apart from solid set piece work, he carried well, hit the right rucks and made tackles - all with a smile on his face, and i know he and the rest of the 'boy-band' enjoyed their road trip home.

Massive thanks go to those who travelled to watch including Judge Jeff and Mike but also to Josh's dad and Adam Morris's parents - its a fair trip and we really do appreciate it; and also to our First Aider Nic - she is there every week keeping an eye on our players. We are now in the last 8 of the Midlands Division and having seen the results there is no-one to fear so fingers crossed for a home tie. The fact that we put out 3 sides this weekend, returned 2 wins and high scoring draw is simple remarkable for our club.

We now have two league games coming up (Exiles at home this saturday and Cannock away the week after), we might rotate a few players in and out in these and perhaps give a couple of the older boys a bit of a rest - its going to be a long season and we have to keep everyone fresh."