Aldridge crash to league leaders

Not one of our better days at the office. The final tally says it all. We made the worst of starts when virtually from the kick-off our visitors ran the ball on through a melting defence to score close to the posts. Although it had looked unnervingly easy it didn’t give any hint of the ignominy that was to follow. In fact we had a reasonable first-half. Aided by the breeze and slope we managed to keep the lid on things and probably shaded the territorial advantage, even squandering a few chances - but when the visitors did get their hands on the ball they had the pace and organisation to stretch our defence to twanging point. They’d scored another two tries and added a conversion by the break both aided, it must be said, by some abysmal tackling, but things got worse. The whistle for the restart heralded an Aldridge implosion of unprecedented proportions. Rugeley began their onslaught crossing within 3 minutes of the off and then went on to score another eight tries – seven converted - most of them with only minimal Aldridge intervention - so it was blessed relief when the closing whistle blew and the procession was finally ended. We did manage to conjure up a consolation try late on – Will Durant crossing mid way out - but it didn’t provide much solace.

Jim Chambers