"Big Show" runs the show

"Simply Superb" was the praise coming from those watching on the sidelines, and it was...

From the 1st minute to the last there was only side going to win this Semi-Final. With Lea Ross and Harry Baldock pulling the strings from 9 and 10, a forward pack which spent the whole game winning both scrums and the contact collision area, and a back line full of brutal power it was the complete team performance.

An early penalty from Harry Baldock was soon equalled by Old Yards, however Aldridge kept the scoreboard ticking through two more Penalties as Harry kicked the heart out of a previously unbeaten at home Old Yards side. on 27 minutes a bulldozing run from Chris Balmforth playing on the wing ended with him going over for a superb try, 3 show and go dummies were bought by the covering defence before the full back was simply dispatched - Harry converting. Despite losing Adam Butler with a cut just before halftime which saw young Ben Stephens, in his first year of playing rugby, make his first team debut, the first half was all Aldridge with the Maestro Baldock orchestrating the game. With just 2 minutes of the half remaining Josh Reynolds powered over, this time the big Old Yards full back willingly sidestepping 'Thunder' as he rolled in. Half time 23 - 3 to Aldridge.

In truth the second half was all Aldridge, apart from one defensive lapse which briefly allowed Old Yards back into the game at 10-23. Harry extended the lead again with a further penalty from just inside his own half. Even with the interchanges the intensity and focus remained solid, and on 70 minutes the outstanding Ben Drinkwater charged over for a try - amazingly Harry missed the conversion. Further chances came, Ben Pittam dropping a difficult pass in what would have been the Try of the Season, and a superb cross field kick from Harry just being failed to collected by Barnie, plus a couple of chances fell to Adam Morris who was stopped by despairing tackles - the scoreline could have been even more convincing. Final Score: Old Yards RFC 10 Aldridge RFC 31

Aldridge head to the North Mids RFU Final Day currently scheduled for the 10th May.

Head Coach Jon Arch
"I spoke to the guys before hand about focusing on just the next 80 minutes of rugby, and it was noticeable that at the final whistle there was little celebration - we are in the final but we haven't won anything yet ! ! As Rossy keeps saying... "Next Job!"

There were some superb performances today; Forest in that first half was simply unplayable, Josh Atkin on his return from injury was superb, and Dan McKenna again was superb at Full Back, and when you think both Ben Pittam and Chris Balmforth stepped in at short notice they also were superb. Harry Baldock was rightfully Man of the Match as he controlled the tempo and the field position for 80 minutes, but it was a superb team effort. Luke and Eddies work rate and physical presence from front row was excellent, and when we replaced them with Mo and Neil they kept up that standard and scrum time became a bit of a slaughter. Liam Burlace used his 6ft 7in frame and carried and hit hard, and the back row of Josh, Ben H and Adam Butler (with Lea Ross) were brutal at times in offence and defence. Losing Adam so early, meant young Ben Stephens got his chance and he did exactly what we asked of him.

It was the perfect response to the disappointment of losing the last league game, the guys showed balls and desire. We need repeat performances like this in our remaining league games and of course in the final. We have set a very high standard for ourselves now and we have to work hard at both training and in our game day preparation to reach and surpass this; that said we know what we are capable of now, and we know we can be even better."