Aldridge dent Rugeley promotion hopes

After 1 minute 30 seconds and 1 try down the omens didnt look good for an Aldridge team forced to make late changes in the Second Row; but on days like this it often takes just one person to stand up and be counted - on saturday ALL 20 of the squad manned up to put in the teams best performance of the season; it might not of been as convincing a win as against Aston, but Rugeley are a very very good side pushing for promotion.

On saturday, we saw PRIDE IN THE SHIRT, we saw PASSION FOR THE BADGE, and we saw DESIRE TO GIVE THEIR ALL.

An Adam Reed penalty on 5 minutes reduced the scoreline to 3 - 5, however we then failed to tackle the impressive Rugeley winger who extended their lead to 3 - 10... But back we came, Adam Reed, playing at 9 got on the end of fine end to end move to score (missed conversion) and back in the game at 8 - 10. On 22 minutes the Rugeley skipper powered over for a good try and extended the lead to 8 - 15. The rest of the half was very different as our line out and Adam Butler in particular provided great ball for Adam Reed to launch attack after attack. Just on half time we had a try disallowed in the corner as Centre Kane Meddings fed winger Nick Yates who sliced through 4 would-be tacklers to score what looked a perfectly good try in the corner. All the while Lea Ross was becoming a one man wrecking ball against the Rugeley pack and scrum half in particular. Our forwards growled into life and Alex Reed, Luke Russell and debutant Jordan Russell, alongside the second row pairing of Ed Tonks and veteran Ed O'Neill were also laying the SMACK DOWN on anything in a green shirt. The introduction of Lee Stokes on 35 minutes to give Number 8 Jordan Russell a breather helped increase the tempo and 3 quick turnover balls were achieved.

Half-time 8 - 15 down, but very much in the game. However just 2 minutes into the second half and again Rugeley extended their lead as their big forward pack took a quick penalty, despite the prone Ed Tonks down with a head injury caused by a 'stray' boot. Rugeley led 8 -20 and were heard to say something like "50 Points today ! "

However with 52 minutes on the clock Big Ben Eden handed off his opposite winger and made good yards, which our fitter forwards provided good quick ball for Adam Reed to score again (Converted) and 15-20.

Enter the fold club legend and new Director Of Rugby Jim Arnold, who alongside the rested Jordan Russell replaced the "EDS" in the second row, Tony Harbutt replaced Luke Russell and with Neil Smith already replaced Alex Reed, the pack looked refreshed. With the scrum now in control with Skip Mark Smith pinching a number against the head, and the line out of Adam butler and Lee Stokes rising high on every throw, Rugeley were starved of ball and their frustrations began to tell.

On 65 minutes good line out ball was secured in the Rugeley 22 and following over 15 phases of controlled hits from the forwards, Adam Reed was able to put big centre Daniel McKenna in for a try (Converted) and the lead 22 - 20.

We were not done, on 74 minutes as young Fy Half Lewis Underwood, who had led the defensive line against the far larger Rugeley backline, spotted a gap, with Full back Adam Morris on his shoulder he fed him who unselfishly put Daniel McKenna in for his second try (conversion missed) and a 27 - 20 lead.

Despite a last roll of the dice from Rugeley, Aldridge held on for a memorable win. Rugeley were magnanimous in defeat congratulating us on a hard fought game.

"I asked them to show the desire today - our last two performances at home have simply not been good enough - we haven't won the collision or carried the ball with gusto - our line out execution has been poor! The guys have worked really hard in the last two weeks - they deserved the win today - I felt we were the better team," commented Head Coach Jon Arch.

"Rugeley are a very physical outfit, we found that out at their place, today I asked players to man up, training on tuesday was all about contact and the breakdown area, today that was the difference - we secured quick ball for Adam Reed, and we turned their ball over at will in the second half... Lee Stokes, Adam Butler and Lea Ross were immense. Jordan Russell added the physical presence we sometimes miss. League rugby is a 20 man game, we made 7 interchanges during the game, with 4 forwards on the bench, it kept the side fresh ! ! It wasn't perfect - we tackled too high in the first half, and didnt win the collision, but at half-time looking in their eyes i knew we would win - they deserve this ! " he added.

"We travel to Willenhall next week, who have now leapfrogged Rugeley into one of the promotion places - i believe we can still get better - so head there with confidence. Two weeks ago I asked the guys for one final push this season - to finish it on a high. We are one club and the likes of Ed Oneill, Big Jim, Kane and Fizz stepped up today, we are still missing a number of players through injury and unavailability so this really shows the strength in depth - finally best wishes from everyone to Rich Mills who broke his ankle plying on friday night - "