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SitemapOld Halesonians 53pts vs Telford 0pts
Top of the league entertained bottom in a match as notable for its one-sidedness as the horrendous weather conditions in which it was played. The blustery wind and rain dictated the manner in which the game was played, players struggling to make long passes or kick into the wind. Despite the conditions, Hales were clearly a cut above the visitors and ensured the scoreboard illustrated this.
Indeed, Hales pressed from the kick off, having two good opportunities in Telford territory inside the first five minutes. Neither chance came to fruition, but it was third time lucky when from a scrum just outside the Telford 22', Number Eight Dan Grant picked up and ran down the short side, popped the ball to scrum half Chris Wagstaff who didn't need winger Tim Curtis, and sped in for a try under the posts. Ben Smith duly converted for an early 7-0 lead.
Four minutes later, a Telford clearance failed to make touch, the ball being collected by Mark Wakefield inside his own half. Wakefield spotted space behind the chasing defence, and beating one defender only had the full back to beat. With support inside to keep the defender distracted, Wakefield dummied and sprinted around the outside for Hales' second score under the posts. Smith added two points with the conversion.
Hales continued to apply pressure to the visitors, with the weather as their greatest enemy. After one period of sustained pressure, Hales were awarded a penalty close to the Telford line. The quick-thinking Wagstaff tapped and passed the ball to Grant, who drew the last defender to put Matt Wagstaff in for a try. Just before half-time it was the backs turn to score again. As the forwards bulldozed their opposition and forced the visitors to commit defenders, the ball was spun out along the line, to Jon Harris on his return from a broken hand. Still with plenty to do, Harris jinked inside his defender and won the race to the try line to score. Smith converted.
After the break Hales were in the ascendancy with the difficult conditions now in their favour. Not surprisingly, the scoreboard continued to grow and demonstrate the gulf between the teams. In the 46th minute, after stealing one of many scrums against the head, the pack surged forward, picking up and driving. Eventually, nearing the line, the defence began to crumble and falter. Grant spotted a gap and glided through it, steamrolling over the try line for the first of his two tries.
Just minutes later Hales were again bombarding the Telford try line, when they were awarded a penalty. Chris Wagstaff tapped quickly again and set off, only to have a defender encroach off side to prevent his pass reaching Eoin McMahon in a perfect try scoring position. The referee awarded the home side a Penalty Try, duly converted by Smith.
It was a similar situation 8 minutes later when Hales were awarded yet another penalty for Telford's back row breaking early from a five-metre scrum. This time Chris Wagstaff didn't risk the pass and darted for the try line, diving over for his second try. The game was well beyond the visitors who struggled to get out of their half due to the fierce wind they were playing into. Indeed, the wind caused an element of indecision behind the scrum, which led to them gifting Hales' an attacking five-metre scrum.
From here, a huge drive from the home-side pack powered them towards the line. Grant controlled the ball well from the base until over the line, collapsing upon the ball to claim the score. In the last quarter, Hales squandered a number of good chances, and had to settle for one final score through flanker Steve Gollins.
Hales face one of their toughest challenges of the season next week as they defend their North Midlands Shield away at Camp Hill. K.O. 3pm.
Team: S Head, S Homer, T Dempsey, E McMahon, C Knows, Gollins, Tideswell, Grant, C Wagstaff, Smith, M Wakefield, M Wagstaff, J Harris, T Curtis, S Rose
Subs used: S Gaynham (for Head), C Harris (for J Harris), Weston (for McMahon) (all 60 minutes)