Old Silhillians 48 Aston Old Edwardians 0

Aston travelled to Solihull with a tall order to fill. After a difficult game the previous week they found themselves playing the league leaders in less than ideal conditions. It began to rain as the match kicked off and got colder as it progressed. On a muddy pitch, however, both sides gave of their best and produced a respectable eighty minutes of skill and sweat.

Sils mounted an early attack and Joe Williams was required to put in a great tackle at the corner to deny them a try. From the line out Aston mounted a long drive upfield which Sils did not defend well. They quickly returned the compliment though and forced Aston back a few minutes later and, when the ball was released, a great take by the Sils' centre enabled him to break the defence and cross for a try which was converted.

Aston made a positive response, retaining possession well and were awarded two penalties which they could not convert. Sils added a penalty of their own as they began to build some momentum through forwards and backs and Aston's defence was resolute. The home team had a couple of scrums five metres out and Luke Harrison was harshly yellow carded for breaking off too early. Immediately Sils capitalised on their advantage to bag a try from a third scrum which they chose instead of the penalty.

Pressure on Aston resumed and the defence was strong but a missed tackle when a defender bounced off his man gave Sils another try which they did not convert. The visitors struck back initiating attacks after a great piece of ball winning by Lea Ross. The assaults were prolonged and Aston's retention was excellent but league leaders rarely offer a poor defence and the visitors could not find the pass which would provide the vital opportunity to get on the board and the deficit at the break was twenty points.

Aston made a powerful start to the half with a thundering gallop from Michael Tate which broke the defensive line and, with Mickey Watts working well at scrum half the forwards were on the front foot for a while. Match conditions deteriorated and there were handling mistakes from both sides.

Aston began to struggle in the scrum and were pushed off the ball on two occasions, the second leading to a try for the Sils backs but they fought back and Josh Walker began to break the defence and make good ground with the forwards prospering in his wake. Unfortunately, a speculative kick from the visitors was pounced on by the Sils' left wing who ran the length to go in under the posts.

Aston continued to win a respectable share of ball and hammered away, mostly among the forwards, driving time after time but failing to breach a determined defensive wall. Sils made their way to the other end and, as tiredness finally began to tell on Aston, scored two late tries. The effort made by Aston, particularly with their tackling was deserving of some points on the board but it was not to be.

Match report by Brian Kelly