Great win for Aldridge

Aldridge started the game very well with their forwards taking the initiative to Rugeley. The home side spent most of the half in the visitors' 22 and piled on the pressure despite often losing the ball in the tackle, Some hard work from Dan Lastun and great technique from Jim Arnold and Lee Stokes driving the Rugeley back row off the ball at the breakdown in textbook fashion ensured early control. This resulted in a simple penalty for Alex Yates after 10 minutes. The front row of Alex Reed, Nick Kniveton and Tony Harbutt established dominance up front and Dan Lastun and Lee Stokes were winning the line-out ball. Aldridge continued to press and following a superb run from Chris Balmforth who was having an exceptional game he touched down for a try converted by Alex Yates.
Things began to turn against the home side. Firstly Dan Lastun was yellow carded just before half time. This gave the visitors impetus and early in the second half they played some superb rugby looking dangerous every time they won the ball. It cam as no surprise when the scored a try on 45 minutes. This was converted to put the result of the game on a knife edge. Aldridge's cause was not helped by a red card for Jeffrey Large. However this did seem to gee up the home side who began to defend with accuracy and ferocity. Replacement Russell Hamilton put in one excellent tackle close to the line but Dan McKenna was magnificent in defence. In one move he tackled, got up tackled and then tackled again. As the game began to close out Aldridge began to regain some momentum and Chris Balmforth was very unlucky that two of this superb breaks did not lead to further scores.
The game ended with no further score to give Aldridge a slightly fortunate but very well deserved win against tough opposition.