Thunder strikes again - but Turner puts on a show

"Best 79 minutes of the season" were the Head Coaches words at full time probably still disappointed that one missed tackle in the 2nd half gave Cannock a consolation try with the last play of the game.

This was the team performance that Aldridge have been threatening all season; complete control of the ball and the tempo, aligned with an improved discipline at the contact area. Cannock fielding 4 new players signed this week, included a second row and centre signed from Midlands 2 Wolverhampton so the 1st XV always knew they were in for a challenging 80 minutes.

With ten minutes on the clock Adam Reed kicked the first of his 6 successful kicks of the day (4 Conversions and 2 penalties), Adam was back to his best controlling the back line, and generating excellent field position throughout. The midfield combination of Sir Adam, James Turner and Dan McKenna broke the gainline throughout.

By half time Aldridge had eased into a 20 points to 5 lead through tries from Josh "Thunder" Reynolds after another busting run and James Turner who powered over in the corner after looping onto a pass from winger Ben Tal.

The second half followed much the same as the first, with the set piece strong, further tries followed from Adam Morris, Dan McKenna (who benefitted from the unselfishness of replacement Brad Russell), a second try for James Turner and a try of the season contender from Ben Eden, who combined pace and power to beat defenders to score. With time up on the clock the strong Cannock centre scored to leave the final score at 44 - 10 - Bonus Point secured ! Job Done.

Head Coach Jon Arch...
"That was the best team performance we have put in all season against a very good Cannock side - we kept intensity high, work rate high and to be honest could easily have scored 3 or 4 more tries in the first half but for the final pass or wrong option... that said 6 tries scored, 5 points so got to be happy.

When Josh Reynolds is in that sort of form he is nearly unstoppable... i thought all our back row were superb and carried well. And this week we had a backline with a real point to prove - Adam Reed bossed the game from ten, and with him, James and Danny Mac, we have three strike runners in midfield. Apart from one breakaway try from our mistake in the first half and a final lapse of concentration in the final minute the defence was superb - it was our best 79 minutes of the season.

We honestly are taking each weekend as it comes, it is that tight at the top it could go to the final weekend. We just have to keep on winning and keep on believing in our ability and our game ! !"

Next Weekend Aldridge 1st XV meet Aston Old Edwardians RFC in the Quarter Final of the North Midlands Vase. Kick off is at 2.00pm