Aldridge's power shows

From the first minute of the game when Nick Yates crashed over in the corner the result was never really in doubt, the only question many asked was by how many Aldridge would win by. This is not meant as being disrespectful to Exiles who battled gamely throughout , however apart from a 10 minute spell either side of half time when Aldridge had gone down to 13 men after very harsh yellows for Ben Giles and Chris Balmforth, Aldridge controlled the ball and tempo throughout. Whilst down to 13 men Aldridge conceded two tries, the first after a lapse of concentration after a penalty and the second a penalty try which the referee later admitted he had made a mistake.

Despite losing Full Back Alex Yates after 7 minutes with a Hamstring injury, Aldridge scored further first half tries through a fine try from winger Josh Hetherington, Adam Reed, Lea Ross (after a clever inside pass from Harry Baldock) and a second try for Nick Yates.

Half Time: Aldridge 33 - Birmingham Exiles 12

The second half was much like the first, first Josh Reynolds powered over then Adam Reed added tries 7, 8 and 9 (2 of which were simply stunning solo efforts, before Chris Balmforth crashed over for Aldridge's tenth try. Harry Baldock chipped in with 8 conversions and the game was done.

Full Time: Aldridge 66 - Birmingham Exiles 12

Tries: Nick Yates x 2, Josh Hetherington, Lea Ross, Adam Reed x 4, Josh Reynolds, Chris Balmforth
Cons: Harry Baldock x 8

Man of the match: Josh Reynolds

Head Coach Jon Arch:
"10 tries scored but we left another half a dozen out there - but i am not moaning about a 66-12 victory and a bonus point for tries scored. I thought the returning Adam Reed and Josh Reynolds were simply superb today as was Adam Butler who has recently added strong ball carrying to his amazing work rate. But to me my stars of the day were the front row, as a unit they have really upped their work rate in the last couple of weeks and are now not only doing the basics but are carrying, and putting in tackles and turning ball over, and Lea Ross even chipped in for a try.

I don't think there is a better 9 outside of Mids 1 level than Adam Reed, his tackling and work rate are superb, his passing is spot on, but when he sees a gap he is gone - 4 tries today and could have had more. The transition of skills to and from Australian Rules Football is making him a far better player - which is great for us.

To win with a number of players missing, plus losing Alex so early in the game and the two yellows is great, but for the club to put out 3 sides again this weekend is a far better measure of our success, and judged by the atmosphere in the bar the guys are certainly enjoying their rugby.

The First XV go onto next weeks game against Cannock with confidence high and looking for another good performance; there will always be work ons for training but we are in a great place right now."