Aldridge lose at Essington

This was very much a below par performance on our visit to Essington for last Saturday’s league fixture. The set pieces were fairly even but the home side, by working harder throughout managed to frustrate any ambitions we might have had and as the game progressed the opposition began to gain the initiative. The early exchanges were favouring us but on Essington’s first visit to our territory they snatched the lead via a well-struck penalty by No10 Adam Smith. Both sides were vying for ascendancy at this stage and it was on the half hour that we finally managed to break the deadlock with a try in the corner from full back Alex Yates. Our lead was short lived however when in the last ten minutes of the half, a second Smith penalty and two tries, from No8 Neil Burt and scrum–half Nick Britain, put the home side firmly in the driving seat. A penalty from Alex Yates reduced the deficit to 16 – 8 at the interval but a third try five minutes into the second half, by Essington lock Mark Shingler, converted by Smith, consolidated the home side’s lead - effectively closing out the game. We were struggling to find consistency and momentum but persevered and mid-way through managed to establish some territorial gain. A resulting penalty within the Essington 22 was quickly taken and a determined run by centre Dan McKenna took him through the defence and over close to the posts. Yates converted. At 23 – 15 the score gave us some cause for optimism but Essington still retained the edge and within the closing ten minutes removed all doubts as to the outcome with a try by flanker Andy Barker mid way out.

Report written by Jim Chambers