Aston entertained league leaders Lichfield on Saturday and in a pulsating game were finally edged out as the visitors took their revenge for Aston’s November victory at Cooke Fields.
Aston went into the game without the services of Sean Dunne, Dave Fenton, Mike Goodwin, Andy Tovey and Andy Wood but were boosted by the return from long term injury of player/coach Allan Mitchell and stand off Blake Bennett.
Lichfield were quick out of the blocks and Aston had to defend for their lives as the visitors threatened to run riot and it was no more than they deserved when centre Greg Massey gave them the lead with a 13th minute penalty goal.
After weathering the early Lichfield storm, Aston gradually worked their way into the game and Blake Bennett tied the scores up at 3-3 after 18 minutes when he he kicked a penalty goal.
Possession and territory became more even as the half wore on, although the speed of the Lichfield backs was a constant threat.
Lichfield regained the lead after 22 minutes when Greg Massey kicked his 2nd penalty of the afternoon following an Aston infringement.
The early dominance of the visitors was beginning to fade, as the experienced Aston half backs of Allan Mitchell and Blake Bennett began to influence proceedings.
The turning point of the whole match came deep into 1st half injury time, when an Aston move broke down just outside the visitor’s 22 metre line. Lichfield regained possession and centre Greg Massey took advantage of two missed Aston tackles to lead the break out that eventually saw winger Gareth Brear go in under the posts for an excellent try for the League leaders. Greg Massey’s successful conversion gave the visitors a 13-3 interval lead.
Aston came out for the 2nd half with all guns blazing with scrum half Mitchell and fly half Bennett to the fore. Bennett missed a chance to reduce the deficit after 45 minutes when his penalty attempt drifted wide.
After 55 minutes, Lichfield replaced prop Ben Sowden with Dan Taylor and within two minutes the visitors lead was extended to 18-3 when fellow prop and captain Dave Bassett forced his way over in the corner for a try that Greg Massey was unable to convert.
Despite this setback Aston didn’t allow their heads to drop and tore into the League leaders and after 61 minutes they were rewarded when centre Dean Morris crashed over for his 2nd try of the season following a Rob Chesner offload. Blake Bennett converted to bring Aston right back in the game at 10-18.
After 64 minutes flanker Chris Balmforth replaced Paul Horrocks. as Aston sensed the comeback was on. Lichfield responded by replacing young winger Jack Sprocic with Matt Axton and it was all hands to the pump for a Lichfield side whose only defeat of the season had been at the hands of Aston back in November..
After 74 minutes Bennett reduced the deficit to 13-18 when he slotted a well judged penalty goal. There was no doubt at this stage that Lichfield coach and former Aston coach Nick Sprocic was a worried man as his nervous charges desperately tried to hang on as it was all Aston now, with little being seen from the visitors apart from admirable defence.
Aston came agonisingly close to gaining the try their efforts deserved as first Rob Chesner and then Tom McNamee were only thwarted by last ditch tackles. Indeed it was only the bounce of a ball that at the end separated these two fine sides in what was an excellent match, played in good spirit and well refereed.
Despite losing, Aston restored a lot of pride with their performance and now look forward to the rest of the season with a new belief. The return of experienced half backs Allan Mitchell and Blake Bennett made a huge difference. Indeed the ‘Man of the Match’ performance of Mitchell was quite remarkable considering the horrendous injury he suffered in June 2009 when he dislocated his ankle and fractured his leg in three places.
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Team: Chris Goldsmith(Capt), James McQuoid, Mobasher Mahmood, Jules Phipps, Paul Finnemore, Paul Horrocks, Marcus Harewood, Mike Tate, Allan Mitchell, Blake Bennett, Tom McNamee, Dean Morris, Rob Chesner, Lea Ross, Terry Finn. Subs: Chris Balmforth (for Horrocks 64 mins), Martin Franklin (not used), Chris Cheney (not used). __________________________________________________________________

On Saturday, 20th February, Aston travel to near neighbours Old Saltleians in a much awaited local derby, kick off 2.15pm.
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Aston 2nd XV lost 44-15 at Walsall 2nd’s in a Staffs Merit Table fixture. Darren Gardner scored two tries, with Adam Kyle kicking a penalty and a conversion.

Aston 3rd XV lost 24-17 at home to Woodrush 2nd. Ant Brown, Steve Dyer and Pete Carroll scored tries, with Brown also adding one conversion..

The 4th XV had a big 57-5 win at home to Edwardians 3rd; Yunus Ebden(3), Marc Banks, Ian Willetts, Mick Cowley, James Beard, Alec Aucott and Adam Middleton scored tries, with Chris Turner kicking six conversions.