Aldridge ease to Victory in last league game

Despite the fairly close scoreline this was a game which Aldridge were always in control of, and perhaps without the referee 'wishing to make a game of it" in the second half, we would of pushed on for a greater victory.

When your man of the match is a 52 year old Tight Head Prop you know it was a great team effort on the day. Ben "Forest" Drinkwater was at times unplayable, Lea Ross at 9 marshalled his troops, Dan McKenna and Ben Eden proved the unmovable force in the centres, and the back row dynamos of Lee Stokes and Adam Butler were simply everywhere. The play of the game though belonged to the 'fat boys' in the front row... From just outside the Yardley 22, Lea Ross fed Tony Harbutt, who fixed the defender before putting Tight Head Prop Alex Reed through the gap with a deft offload, Reed drew his man and passed the ball behind his back to Forest to score ! ! You can't coach that ! !

At 12 - 3 at halftime, the players were relaxed and despite some 'interesting' penalties against us, further extended the lead to 17 - 3 following another great run from Forest, with quick ball recycled through the backs hands, the final pass was a beautifully timed pass from Ben Eden to winger Josh Hetherington to score a simply great team try.

Despite conceding a late try the result was never in doubt.

"We left 3 or 4 tries out there again, and this is something we need to address before next season; that said, i asked them to get the win for themselves, so the end of season beer tastes sweeter - and that's what they did!" commented Head Coach, Jon Arch.

"In January I challenged the players to get 6 wins from our remaining 10 league games, we got 5 and a draw. All season we have struggled with injury and unavailability and this week was no different. Ryan Bowen (a centre) playing at 10, Lea Ross ( a 2 or 6) playing at 9, Ben Eden (a 6 or wing) playing at outside centre...and so on. However i could tell from the warm up they wanted the win today, next season looks very very promising, new players are learning week on week, and i really feel we can better this 6 placed league finish next year with a proper push at promotion," added Arch.

"When i look around the team, there is youth, some experience, power, pace, skill and guts, but most of all from everyone who has worn the shirt this year, love for and pride in the badge on the front of the shirt.!"