1st XV
Matches
Sat 13 Nov 2010  ·  Midlands 2 West (North)
Aston Old Edwardians
1st XV
Tries: B BennettConversions: B BennettPenalties: B Bennett (3)
16
18
Ludlow
Saturday 13th November 2010

Saturday 13th November 2010

Glyn Brazell15 Nov 2010 - 20:21
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Midlands 2 West (North) Aston Old Edwardians 16 Ludlow 18

With only points difference separating the two sides at the top of the table, this always looked like being a close game, and so it proved to be with Ludlow emerging victorious by a 2 point margin.

In perfect conditions, Aston started strongly and earned early territorial advantage, but Ludlow, as they were to do successfully throughout, used their heavy forwards to grind out some hard yards and relieve the pressure. The first score came when centre Andy Wood ran hard towards the visiting back-row, and set up a ruck at which Ludlow were penalised. Blake Bennett easily converted from 20 yards to give Aston the advantage after 13 minutes.

Ludlow responded almost from the restart when the home side were caught offside, with centre Gareth Edwards kicking the resultant penalty from in front of the posts. With Ludlow continuing to use their well drilled pack, and Aston seeking to release their three-quarters, both sides spilled ball under pressure from strong defensive play. A clever chip into the corner from scum-half Allan Mitchell, and sharp work from the Aston loose forwards forced Ludlow to try to gain ground through their forwards close to their line, but a penalty for holding on allowed Bennett the opportunity to kick his second penalty after 23 minutes.

Ludlow maintained their game plan of keeping the ball tight, and executed a number of rolling mauls, which secured ground and tied in Aston players. After a series of penalties, Paul Horrocks was yellow-carded which weakened the Aston pack further. Following 5 minutes of intense pressure on the try line, Ludlow moved the ball to the blind side where winger Will Green had just enough space to squeeze in at the corner. The touchline conversion by Will Norton took Ludlow into a 10-6 lead.

Aston almost scored a try from the kick-off when fullback Rob Chesner created an overlap for Terry Finn, but with space outside, Ludlow deliberately knocked on. Bennett, from 5 yards in from touch, put the penalty over, to narrow the score to one point at the half-time break.

With the rolling maul proving to be the most effective form of attack for Ludlow, it was no surprise when Aston were again penalised for collapsing after 8 minutes, and Ludlow opted to kick for the corner rather than for the posts. A well rehearsed move saw Number 8 Chris Harris peel off from the maul and crash over to extend the Shropshire team’s lead to 15-9. Flanker Marcus Harewood had to leave the field with concussion and Dave Fenton was introduced which gave the home side more ballast.

Just 2 minutes later, Bennett scored a trademark try when he dummied and ghosted his way through the midfield to score under the posts, after a good line out take and forward drive. With Bennett converting the try himself, this gave Aston a slender 1 point advantage with a quarter of the game remaining. Ludlow looked shaken, and a strong break by the dynamic James Goulding, made 30 yards and Ludlow were penalised at the breakdown, but the attempted kick from 35 yards out drifted left of the posts. Ludlow stuck to their forwards for the majority of the game, but only a superb cover tackle by Finn denied Ludlow a try when they broke through the backline. Another back move ended when replacement Darren Gardner was penalised for a high tackle, and Norton added another 3 points for Ludlow from 40 yards out.

The Aston forwards, despite great endeavour, were still conceding yards to the superbly drilled Ludlow pack, and Aston suffered their 2nd yellow card of the match when Fenton was sin-binned for collapsing yet another rolling maul. Ludlow chose to take the scrum instead of the kick for goal, but 7 man Aston held out and disrupted the attacking scrum. Despite not conceding a point during the 10 minute suspension, Aston were unable to secure sufficient ball or territory to threaten the Ludlow lead, and only brave defending by Wood and Bennett prevented Ludlow from driving over again.

With the minutes ticking by, and Aston 2 points adrift, Chesner made a break out from his own 22 to the Ludlow try line, where only a desperate scrambling Ludlow defence stopped the score. A penalty was conceded however, and Bennett had a tough opportunity to snatch victory with a kick 5 yards in from touch. Agonisingly for Aston however the kick fell away at the end, and Ludlow held on for a tight, but well-deserved victory.

James Goulding playing in the back row instead of his favoured hooking position was named as Aston Man of the Match.

Next week, Aston travel to near neighbours Old Saltleians in what is likely to be a similarly close encounter - kick off is 2.15pm.

Match details

Match date

Sat 13 Nov 2010

Kickoff

14:15

Meet time

11:30

Competition

Midlands 2 West (North)
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Senior Mens Kit Sponsor - Beauty Forumlas
Main Sponsor - Select Lifestyles
Club Sponsor - BT Felton & Sons
Club Sponsor - ACE Exports
Club Sponsor - Supply Technologies