Aldridge avenge earlier defeat

Aldridge began the game well. They were pressing the opposition hard and had the most of the early play. They were inclined to lose the ball both in contact and at the breakdown. This led to the opening score, a penalty for the visitors.
In difficult conditions Aldridge drove spectacularly up the field and were just short of the line several occasions. Then a superbly set up piece of play in the left corner allowed Alex Reed to score the game's opening try. Alex Yates converted magnificently to give Aldridge a 7 - 3 lead.
The visitors were certainly not intimidated by this try and themselves made significant inroads into Aldridge territory from one of which the scored a penalty from an offside decision.
Aldridge came back hard with their forwards making consistent progress through hard driving, led by Jim Arnold, Eddie O'Neill and Dan McKenna. Aldridge's back row were able to control the space close to the rucks which made it difficult for the opposition and another try seemed inevitable. Almost as inevitable it came to the indefatigable Lea Ross. This was also converted by Alex Yates to give the home side a lead of 14 - 6
Throughout the game Aldridge had been testing the referee's interpretation of offside and it came as no surprise when the visitors scored yet another penalty to reduce the deficit to 14 - 9. The home side came back with a penalty of their own to leave the score at 17 - 9 at half time.
Shortly after the interval Alex Yates took the chance to extend the lead with another well taken penalty and at 20 - 9 it was looking good for the home side. It got even better when a mix up in the Chaddesley defence allowed Jacob Holding to score a try, which was not converted. 25 - 9
The visitors came back hard and a superb drive up field led to a try, subsequently converted, which gave them hope of closing the gap. 25 - 16
But Aldridge were not to be denied, and a magnificent try by Alex Yates, straight off the training ground, saw them into a 32- 16 lead as the game was drawing to a close.
Dan McKenna topped a super personal performance with an excellent try of his own just before the final whistle. again converted by the almost perfect Alex Yates.
The Man of the Match was Dan McKenna. Well done to him, and well done to the team for a great bonus point against string opposition.