Aldridge cruise into North Mids Cup Semi-Final

It certainly wasn't redemption for the league games earlier in the season, a hard fought draw when we left points on the pitch, and the defeat away with the try that never way #downwardpressure - it was however proof that when Aldridge play the game rather than the occasion they have enough quality throughout the team to win at a canter.

With scrum half Lea Ross bossing the forwards about, and fly half "Sir" Adam Reed pulling the strings in midfield there really was only one side that was going to progress to face Old Yards in the Semi-final on the 14th March.

Playing against wind and slope in the first half, Aldridge took control from the off, and after a narrowly missed long-range penalty attempt from Adam Reed, Aldridge were soon on the scoreboard. Playing a free flowing style of rugby the ball was moved from left to right with ease, with Brad Russell beating his man and scoring in the corner after 7 minutes (Conversion Missed). Then followed a period of play with Aldridge dominating the play but allowing Aston an exit route following a number of silly penalties. However Brad Russell scored his second try with 35 minutes on the clock after another period of sustained pressure (Conversion Missed) - 10-0 and in total control.

Just on half-time, Astons talisman Julius Hunt took advantage of the only time in the game where the defence lost focused. 10 - 7 at half-time.

With minor injuries to Adam Morris and Ben Eden, and with next weekends key league game against Clee Hill in mind, Aldridge made some changes; former Bloxwich RFC player Chris Thomas came on for his Aldridge 1st XV debut, and Josh Atkin returned to the side after missing the last few games with injury - not bad replacements to bring on ! !

Josh Atkins impact was immediate, smashing into a huge tackle from the restart, which turned the ball over and Wing Forward John Reynolds went through 3 tacklers to score. By now the Aldridge forwards were in complete control, Loosehead Tony Harbutt was equalling his superb work in the set piece with crunching tackles, and Jordan Russell marked his return with big hits on the Aston forwards.

Aldridge extended their lead on 60 minutes, Adam Reed spotted a gap and glided through it then outpaced the covering Aston full back to score (Converted). Time for more changes, Young Jack Robbins replacing Ben Husthwaite (again with next weekend in mind) and Ed O'Neill going back on for prop Ellis Garratt who had a dead leg.

Fresh legs equated to fresh impedance... Josh Reynolds scored his second. Then with the final play of the game Josh Atkins ran 90 yards to score under the posts - Final Score 36 - 7

Head Coach Jon Arch...

"Again just like last week most pleasing was the defensive intensity - big hits after big hits right across the team - even from Dan McKenna :-) Truth be told, we didn't play that well in offence, and there were a few 'interesting' calls by the ref especially in the contact area, our ball was being slowed down, illegally in my opinion but for once our execution in the final 22 was simply faultless. We have been working for last couple of weeks on a slight change to our attacking structure, the more we play it, the better we will get at it. It requires our players to think a little more, three of the tries today came from this tweak.

Adam Reed was faultless today in his running of the game; we have such a talented backline with JT, Josh PB , McKenna, Midz, Brad and Adam Morris, plus other lads like Chris Turner, Fizz, Nick Yates, Josh Hetherington, Ryan Bowen and the veteran enigma Ben Pittam pushing them week on week - they know they have to perform ! !

We know next week will be a massive challenge against Clee Hill, lose and we could find ourselves down in 3rd place. Clee are an excellent side and deservedly sit top, however we are a very very good side also. We have to be right on our game from 1st minute to the last; we go there expecting to win - we know it is going to be tough but this side want to be known as the best side in the clubs history - time to prove it ! ! "