Old Halesonians RFC 18 Ludlow 3

A TYPICALLY blustery Wassell Grove was the venue for Old Halesonians return to league action on Saturday. It also saw the home side bounce back from cup disappointment with a win against a strong Ludlow side.

Indeed, Hales seemed a much more confident side than the shadows which represented them a week earlier at Barkers Butts.

Despite the conditions, they endeavoured to play their dynamic and expansive brand of rugby and were rewarded with an early try for their efforts.

A number of phases had thinned the Ludlow defence and Halesonians attacked the blindside through Chris Wagstaff and Sean Gaynham, who deftly off loaded to centre Ben Smith on the Ludlow 22m. With limited space, Smith sprinted as if on a tight-rope to avoid the touchline, beating the covering defender to score in the corner.

Seb Rose missed the difficult touchline conversion into the wind.

It was to be the last contribution of Gaynham who retired through illness after 20 minutes. Shortly after, Ludlow gave away a penalty for hands at a ruck, 30-metres out in front of the posts. This time Rose gauged the wind perfectly, dissecting the posts and taking the score to 8-0.

The scores remained the same at the break, despite some strong forward play from both sides. The second half penalty count for both sides was higher than their coaches would have liked, yet it was Hales who better capitalised on these opportunities.

With the wind blowing straight across the pitch, Smith was able to create a good attacking lineout position for Hales, eight-metres from the visitor’s line. So far the conditions had disrupted both sides’ lineout ball, with both hookers struggling to find their targets consistently, but Stuart Homer was on target when it mattered, with Neil Western taking the ball cleanly.

Tristan Laga controlled the ball well at the back of the maul, avoiding the Ludlow ‘sack’. Indeed, it was Laga who crashed over for his third score of the campaign.

At 13-0 with 25 minutes to go, Ludlow mounted a spirited attack, sustaining possession in the Halesowen 22m area for the first time in the match.

With time on their side, and Hales encroaching off-side in midfield, player-coach Matt Ferguson opted to kick at the posts. The penalty was duly converted by fly-half Mick Shrimpton.

But soon after, the game was taken out reach for the visitors with Hales’ third try.

Ludlow’s insistence on running ball from deep played into the hands of Hales’ imposing midfield defence.

The pressure forced a loose pace from Shrimpton which was seized upon by Birmingham University student Ben Lees.

The young Hales winger used his pace to outstrip the scrambling Ludlow backline to the try line to score his debut Hales try.

The victory sees Hales four points clear at the top of Midlands Three West North.

On Saturday they travel to Aston Old Edwardians, the first time the two sides have met since Hales won the North Midlands Shield in May 2007.

Old Halesonians Colts continued their winning ways with a comprehensive 42-7 victory against the much vaunted Walsall outfit, giving them their fourth consecutive win.

James Sadler blasted his way over to open the scoring with an unconverted try.

After some erratic play from Old Hales Walsall scored the inevitable try and conversion.

Old Hales responded with a series of attacks which eventually saw winger Tom Moorhouse showing his superior speed to score a try, which was not converted.

The second period saw Old Hales destroy Walsall with a brand of rugby that was at times breathtaking.

Sadler touched down after another superb run and there was no holding Old Hales back as some great team work saw Jake Healey-Yeadon score.

There was more to come as full-back Andy Holloway and David Wakefield dodged and weaved their way over to score great tries, with Andy Tromans adding conversions.