Aldridge pip Essington at the post

This gripping league encounter ebbed and flowed throughout as both sets of forwards slugged it out to gain the upper hand but it wasn’t until well into “last play” that the game was finally put to bed with a well struck penalty by Aldridge that gave them the result by the narrowest of margins. It wasn’t pretty, fortunes changing sides many times as the game unfolded. It was the home side that opened the scoring after 7 minutes with a worked move through the backs that provided the gap for fullback Alex Yates to exploit and score close to the posts - also adding the conversion. The Aldridge lead was soon cancelled though as Essington forcefully gained more of the spoils. Lock Craig Mason crossed after a period of forward pressure and centre Ian Brittain touched down behind the posts – converted by No10 Alec Cowmeadow – giving them a lead of 7 – 12 that they protected until the interval.
It was a more determined home side that came out for the second half. Tries from winger Nick Yates and prop Eddie O’Neill provided a welcome cushion but these were cancelled out by a couple of defensive mix-ups that let the visitors right back into the game. Mason crossed for his second of the afternoon – converted by Cowmeadow – and winger Frazier Grieves plucked a wayward fly-hack out of the air and promptly ran it back over the Aldridge line. It was now 17 – 24 to Essington and with time running out, Aldridge had seemingly a mountain to climb. They roused themselves for a final 10 minutes. Some swift handling along the backs provided centre Dan McKenna with the overlap to score mid-way out. The conversion was missed leaving Essington still clinging on to a 2-point lead. The penalty count mounted as the forward exchanges got scrappier. “Last Play” was announced and as the Aldridge pack inched their way up field they were awarded a “get out of jail” penalty. It was in a challenging position - some 30 metres mid-way out - but Alex Yates stroked it sweetly, between the posts, snatching the game for the home side a single point.