Aldridge suffer first league defeat

We suffered our first league defeat of the current campaign on our visit to leaders Rugeley for last Saturday’s fixture. Even with our ever increasing “non-availabilities” list we gave a good account of ourselves though with two penalties from full back Alex Yates providing us with the early lead which we clung on to until the final 10 minutes of the half when the home side at last began to show some continuity. No8 Matthew Williscroft crossed twice to put them into the lead at the break but another Yates penalty just after the restart reduced the arrears. The home side continued to raise the pressure and by mid-way through the half, had increased their lead further with tries from No9 Sam Cotter - converted by winger David Bagnell - and prop Earl Johnson. We put up an effective defence and continued to probe for openings. It paid dividends – “Forrest”( who else) on the end of a backs move, squeezed into the corner festooned with tacklers and an tremendous solo effort by No8 John Bromwich, picking up off the back of a set scrum and making a 20 metre blind-side drive for the line, reduced the deficit to 3 points. There were now only 5 minutes remaining as we set about prising the door open even further but the home side forwards had other ideas and set up a maul on our try line. We could do nothing to prevent it grinding its way forward for flanker Everall Mitchell to be awarded the touch down.
The picture is of the ever dependable Alex yates who seems to keep u sin the game week in week out with his super kicking but the Man of the Match this week, for a tireless display of running and for a brilliantly executed try was John Bromwich.