Aldridge lose to Stourport

In view of the patched up nature of the side and the inordinate reliance this placed on some of our more mature members, this was about as good as we might have expected. Importantly we stuck to our task throughout, refused to roll over and with a bit more organisation and tactical nous it perhaps could have been a lot closer at the end. We made a tentative start but soon began to achieve some sort of parity in the set pieces and defensively, although appearing stretched, were managing to maintain the line. Stourport opened after 11 minutes with a penalty by No 10 Luke Johnson but two fine long-range ripostes off full-back Alex Yates put us into the lead after 17 minutes. It lasted 10 minutes, being reclaimed by the visitors with a try close to the posts by No8 Steve Callanan - Johnson converted. With the break approaching, centre Dan McKenna, who posed a threat throughout, reclaimed the lead for the home side taking the ball powerfully through the centre to touch down close in – the reliable boot of Alex Yates adding the extras. The scoreboard had barely settled when the lead was once again reclaimed for the visitors - full back Adam Wyton crossing mid way out to make it 13 – 15 at the break.
We’d started to ship a few injuries, run out of steam and become disjointed, which helped to open things up for the opposition. A couple of good chances were squandered when we’d managed to set up a rare forward attacking platform and some careless handling in our own 22 certainly contributed to Stourport’s first try of the half - Steve Callanan getting his second of the match 12 minutes in. Two more in the last 10 minutes by Johnson and centre Mark Farrell – all three converted by Johnson - made the final tally 13 – 36 to the visitors at the end.

Jim Chambers