Old Eds take fight to Shrews

ASTON Old Eds RFC returned to winning ways with a 47-25, eight-try romp against Shrewsbury on Midlands Two West North. They won 47-25

Following a series of games where Aston had missed out by a single score, they were determined to stamp their authority on the game early on – and did so in the best possible way. From the kick-off, Aston secured an attacking scrum and moved the ball blind where veteran winger Darran Gardener crashed over for a try with barely 60 seconds on the clock.

The touchline conversion was missed, but Blake Bennett made amends just two minutes later with a penalty to put Aston 8-0 ahead.

Aston stretched their lead when skipper Chris Goldsmith cut a fine line to breach the first line of defence and fed full-back Rob Chesner.

He, in turn, made a superb break before attracting the attention of the final two Shrewsbury defenders, and popped the ball to Gareth Jones, who ran in unopposed under the posts.

This was quickly followed by a catch and drive from a five- yard line-out, and a series of quick rucks ensued from which second-row Paul Finnemore was on hand to force his way over in the corner to take the score to 20-0. Shrewsbury responded with a try but, from the restart, Paul Finnemore gathered the kick, set up a ruck which released quick ball to the backs.

Smooth hands saw the ball reach young winger Gareth Jones, who beat three covering defenders to score his second try of the half.

The final score of the first half came from a Shrewsbury penalty to make the score 25-10.

Aston scored four tries in the final 20. The first saw Chris Cheney score in the corner.

Paul Horrocks then forced his way over from a five- yard line-out. Bennett converted.

Straight from the kick-off a catch and break by back-row Marcus Harewood set up a series of close drives and, from one of these, the ball squirted loose to allow replacement winger Lea Ross to pounce.

With the clock ticking down, another quick break saw back-row Chris Balmforth gallop across the line.