Aston started their league campaign with a hard fought, but deserved win at Willenhall, securing a bonus point in the final minute when skipper Chris Goldsmith scored Aston’s fourth try of the afternoon.

After last season’s encounters, Aston were aware that they would face one of the strongest packs in the league, and that they would need to be at their most competitive in the tight if they were to secure enough ball for their backs to utilise. The front 3 of Goldsmith, Adam Baldock and Ian Turner performed admirably to ensure a steady supply of scummage ball, and with the line out jumpers Mick Tate and Jamie Willets on top form, Aston achieved at least parity up front.

Aston had the upper hand in the early stages, and after just 3 minutes, following a series of forward phases the ball was moved wide where Tate, who had another outstanding afternoon in both the tight and loose, was lurking on the left wing and he cantered over to open the scoring. Whilst the touchline conversion was missed, Blake Bennett was successful with a 30 yard penalty 8 minutes later following a strong drive from No 8 Mike Goodwin. After being subjected to 15 minutes of incessant pressure, Willenhall finally managed to secure some possession, and used their well drilled pack to great effect to mount a 7 phase play that took them 50 yards up field. Aston infringed, and the resultant penalty kick narrowed the score to 8-3.

Aston responded with a try just 5 minutes later, when a 50 yard touch clearance from Bennett led to an attacking line-out. Aston took Willenhall on at their own game, and following another Tate catch, the Aston forwards drove the home side over their own line allowing hooker Baldock to touchdown for his third try of the season. Bennett kicked the conversion from the touchline.

Both sides were guilty of not protecting their own ball at the breakdown, with veteran flankers Martin Franklin and Paul Horrocks particularly prominent in snaffling the loose ball, and turnovers were a regular feature of the game. Aston thought that they had scored the last points of the first half when Bennett kicked a massive penalty from halfway, but a failure to secure the kick-off allowed Willenhall to release their elusive outside centre who evaded several tackles to touchdown under the posts. Fortunately for Aston, the Willenhall kicker was having an off day, and missed the simple conversion, to leave the score 18-8 to Aston at the break

The second half saw the Aston backs attacking from everywhere on the pitch, with centre Andy Wood and fullback Rob Chesner making clean breaks both of which required strong defence from Willenhall to prevent scores. Marcus Harewood and Jim Goulding were introduced to add additional pace to the Aston pack, and with 20 minutes of the second period gone, half-backs Allan Mitchell and Bennett, who controlled the game all afternoon, moved a loose ball from left to right and released winger Tom McNamee. His strong run, and cut back against the direction of play outwitted the hitherto resilient Willenhall defence and he crashed over for Aston’s third try of the game. Bennett added the extra points to stretch the lead to 25-8. With McNamee picking up an injury in the act of scoring, Adam Kyle entered the fray.

Willenhall responded by launching a series of forward drives, but Aston were equal to the task, and repelled them time and time again. However, with defenders being continually committed to the breakdown the pressure eventually told when the ball was moved wide and the left winger was left with an unopposed run to the line to narrow the score to 25-13.

Aston had the majority of territory and possession in the final 10 minutes, and with the game won, Aston were pressing hard for their 4th try of the game to secure the bonus point. When centre Dean Morris was denied a score by some excellent cover defence, following some good work by winger Terry Finn, it appeared that they had missed the opportunity, but Aston kept their composure and self belief. In the final minute, Aston disrupted a Willenhall line out 5 yards out and Chris Goldsmith gathered the loose ball, drove for the line, and despite the attention of 3 defenders was able to stretch over to score the bonus point try, and round off an excellent start to the league campaign.

Blake Bennett was named Man of the Match for a display that combined superb kicking, tactical awareness, strong defence and an ability to create time and space for his outside backs.

Two albums of pictures from the game have been posted by John Walker