Aldridge beat Aston in first league game

This was a game of firsts for Aldridge: first game in Midlands 4 West North and the first time Aldridge had played Aston Old Eds in a competitive game.
The first half was a cagey affair with defences largely dominating. Alex Yates kicked a penalty to give the home side an early lead but the advantage then turned to Aston who scored a good try from some impressive forward momentum. Try Scorer Sam Lee.
Aldridge came back and secured another penalty from Alex Yates, and with this, a half time lead 6 - 3.
Aston claimed the first points of the second half with a penalty for Ian Lyons to take the lead at 8 - 6. But this was as good as it got for the visitors.
Aldridge finally began to get over their nerves and played some very good rugby moving the ball purposefully and making good progress. Both half backs, Mark Large and Dan McKenna, deserve credit for some fine tactical kicking but it was the centres, Ben Pittam and Chris Balmforth who caught the eye with some hard, intelligent running. This led inevitably to the space that Darren Gardner needed to run in a typical bustling try, converted by the reliable Alex Yates.
Shortly afterwards the pack set up a rolling maul to give Daniel Lastun a try, again converted by Alex Yates. Alex then kicked a penalty to extend the score to 23 -8.
Aldridge were now in complete control and the fact that they did not extend the score was due to early season rustiness.
All in all a very satisfactory start to the league campaign.
Skipper Lea Ross was the outstanding player and deserved his Man of the Match accolade.
Next week's game is against Barton under Needwood.