Aston Old Edwardians 2nd XV v Erdington Rugby Football Club

Erdington made hard work of it in the first half even with the slope, against a well drilled defensive Aston team who were missing some regular players. However ERFC did not let this overcome them and with some excellent attacking play and a neat show and go from Joseph Ellor allowed him to score in the corner, try unconverted. Aston appeared to pick up the pace and pinned Erdington down in their half for a while, however during one attacking phase Joe Ellor saw his opportunity and intercepted Astons ball with a foot race ensuing Joe managed to hold off the defence dotting down in the corner, try unconverted. Play then went from end to end with some great attacking and defensive play from both sides, which made for an exciting game. After a foray by Erdington deep into the Aston half a penalty was awarded about 10 yards from the Aston line, Phil Cleghorne took a quick tap and with the help of the pack drove the ball froward and with a twist and a turn scored under the posts, try converted by Thomas Findon . That was all the excitement for the first half, teams turned around at 17 – 0.

Second half started with Erdington taking the game to Aston with a bit of extra vigour as they had obviously felt they had left some points out on the pitch in the first half. Whilst Erdington were on one of their attacks a neat switch play between fly-half Tom Findon and inside centre Joe Ellor allowed him to score his hat-trick of try’s in the corner, try unconverted. This gave Aston the spur they need and after some inter play between both their forwards and backs they scored under the posts. Erdington appeared to take this on the chin and knuckled down and started to play to their systems with the forwards punching holes in the Aston defence and providing some great ball to the backs, and after some great support from the Erdington full back Andrew Bricknall, he sped through on to the ball, broke through the Aston defence and touched down for a really well worked try, try converted. Again there appeared to be an arm wrestle with the ball between both sets of forwards with some great ruck and counter rucking from both sides which proved a little to much for Aston as a penalty was awarded for a hand in the ruck, again Phil Cleghorne took the quick tap but Aston were on to him however again with a wriggle a twist and a shunt he scored, try converted. Aston then kicked off , the ball was sweetly caught by Jay he noticed that Aston were a bit short of numbers on the one side and proceeded on run that saw him carve through and outpace the Aston defence to see him score a lovely solo try in the corner. The game was coming to the end and both teams appeared tired as all had put in a tremendous shift. After some good attacking and support play from the forwards the ball was released to Jay and again off he set on a mazy run, Aston were unable to put hands on him and he scored under the post, try converted. That was all the excitement for the day and a great game was played between two well drilled sides and played with great respect between the teams.

Final score AOE 7 – 50 Erdington.

Man of the match goes to Joe Ellor for his all round effort and of course his 3 try’s however the decision was made incredible difficult as this was an all round great team performance and anyone of the Erdington players could of received the accolade. Special thanks must go to Jason Morris (Bones) and Thom Last who played for Aston as they were short of players.