Aldridge RFC 37 Aston Old Edwardians 19

Who knew all it took was the offer of a Home Made PIE cooked by Head Coach Jon for every try scorer for Aldridge to SERVE up a total 80 minute FEAST of rugby. Apart from the first 5 minutes when Aldridge withstood resolutely everything that local rivals Aston Old Eds could throw at us, this was a victory which was fully justified in the scoreline (and many would say could and should of been more!).

With a PIE on offer, firstly big second row Desperate Dan McKenna powered over despite the attentions of a couple of AOE defenders (converted by Adam Reed), then young Josh Hetherington, in just his 4th start for the first team scored his first try in the 1's, in the corner following some great handling from our back line (Conversion Missed by Adam Reed) to put Aldridge 12 - 0 up after 20 minutes.

With the Aldridge scrum solid and the line out functioning, the omens started to look good, with Aldridge further extending their lead from the boot of Adam Reed. Then following a period of pressure from Aldridge, and two barnstorming runs from Second Row Ben Drinkwater and Number 8 Josh Reynolds, the pack delivered quick ball to 9 Lea Ross, fed Adam Reed who glided between defenders to score (and convert). 22 - 0 with still 5 minutes of the first half remaining.

However, we knew AOE would come back at us, and following 3 penalties against us, we conceded a penalty try just before half time (no-one including the referee had any idea what the offence was) but at 22 - 7 at half time you cant complain.

AOE started the second half strongly, with Aldridge conceding too many easy penalties, then following a AOE line out the scored an unconverted try to take the score to 22 - 12 and GAME ON many thought ! !

Not the case ! ! Again the Aldridge forwards took control with a far superior work rate creating good fast ball for Lea Ross to feed a back line who had started to believe in themselves ! ! Adam Morris, starting at Full Back for the first time, joined the line and powered through for the first of his 2 tries - Adam Reed narrowly missed the conversion but 27 - 12 it was looking good. However again AOE hit back as Aldridge went down to 14 players as Ben Drinkwater took a card for the team and AOE scored a converted try.

Despite this Aldridge again took the game to AOE and Adam Morris went over for his second try from a set move that has been described in its execution as similar to Moses's parting of the Red Sea ! ! Adam Reed converted then added a further penalty to extend the lead to 37 - 19 at the final whistle.

MAN OF THE MATCH - ADAM MORRIS

Head Coach Jon Arch said... "We have threatened to play that style of rugby all season, we have just lacked a bit of belief in our own ability to execute at times - none more so than in the first game against AOE which we lost 19-8 despite dominating for 70% of the game. Training numbers this week were great, and it showed as we were able to provide a solid set piece and platform for the exciting backline to work off." He added, "I asked the guys to win this game for themselves and for everyone who has pulled on the Aldridge shirt for any team this season, they have earned it from the effort they have put in at every training session, some results this season haven't gone our way. This is just a start - we move on to Barton this weekend determined to repeat this performance".