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SitemapLudlow 0pts vs Old Halesonians 28pts
Old Halesonians inflicted a second painful cup defeat upon Ludlow on Saturday, who battling for promotion out of the league above them. Victory against such opposition was an achievement in its own right, but to do so away from home and in such emphatic style, will add to the sweetness of the victory. Indeed, with the 2nd XV securing the merit league title and on course to win their own cup, the pressure is on for the 1st XV to keep the club's momentum up.
Hales started the match in dynamic fashion, defying the appalling weather conditions to create two early try-scoring opportunities; both dashed by last-ditch tackles from the home side. However, Hales continued to pressure Ludlow in both attack and defence, forcing a number of handling errors and turnovers for their endeavours. Hales were happy to rely on their much-lauded defence and allow Ludlow to run the ball at them, living off their mistakes; a number of these turnovers allowing fly half Tom Harris to make excellent territory from kicks to the corner.
This ploy was proving valuable, as Charlie Lowe was immense at the line out, taking 80% of the opposition's ball and 100% of his own. In the 22nd minute, a number of phases of play saw Hales arrive on the Ludlow 22 metre line, from the breakdown the ball was shifted along the backline, finding Matt Wagstaff, who spotted a gap, stepped inside and darted for the try line to score an excellently-finished try. Fellow centre Ben Smith added the first of four kicks from four attempts, in a perfect 8-point kicking display.
Ludlow seemed to be spurned on by this score and mounted their first significant attack in Hales' half. They were rewarded with a midfield penalty; Hales being judged to be holding on to the ball on the ground. Fly half Jack Treehorn missed the kick and was equally wayward with a second effort four minutes later. The half time score was 7-0, despite Hales dominating much of the play.
The second half saw Hales convert more of their territory and possession into points to make the score board more representative of the game. Their first post-break score came after just 8 minutes of play. Having been awarded a penalty, Seb Rose opted to kick for the corner. The ensuing line out was caught by Lowe, and the forwards careered towards the home side's try line. The ubiquitous Alan Hubbleday orchestrating things from the back helped by the vision of scrum half Chris Wagstaff. Hubbleday grounded the ball for the first of two tries. Smith converted from out wide.
An opportunity to repeat this move was squandered in the 52nd minute, when the ball was knocked forward just yards short of the line. However, a third chance was enough. Hales third try came again from a caught and driven line out, Hubbleday again the finisher for this dominant forward unit.
The game was now out of reach for the home side, yet this did not dampen their appetite as they persisted to try to run the ball from deep within their own half. However, the staunch Hales defence was not to be beaten- they have conceded just 9 tries in 25 games this season. Late on, some excellent patterns of play which combined deft handling and powerful forward driving, to score a fourth and final try through prop Thomas Dempsey. Smith sealed the result with his fourth conversion.
Hales will now face high-flying Camp Hill in their 9th away cup game from 10 this season, on Saturday 5th April.
Team: Head, Homer, Dempsey, Lowe, McMahon, Hubbleday, Tideswell, Grant, C Wagstaff, T Harris, Wakefield, M Wagstaff, Smith, Curtis, Rose.
Subs Used: C Harris, C Sambuca-Deeks, Church.