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Search forResurgent Aston continue to upset form book
Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 08:00
Aston Old Edwardians RFC 16
Stafford 8
The Old Eds' resurgence of form continued last weekend as for the second week in a row Aston beat opposition from above them in the league.
Despite their stuttering start to the season, Aston can now entertain thoughts of playing an important part in how Division Three West North pans out this year.
Certainly no-one will relish coming to Perry Common where a decent home record is being constructed.
The next visitors will be Stourbridge Lions on Saturday and Aston will target that as another game they should win.
Stafford's only defeat in league action this year had been to leaders Halesonians who had lost their unbeaten record at Aston's hands the week before.
So this was another good step forward for the Aston team, made all the more encouraging since it was achieved without player/coach Allan Mitchell, sidelined by the head injury suffered against Halesonians.
Veteran Micky Watts deputised ably, picking up where he had left off the week before when coming off the bench.
He formed a formidable half-back hinge with outside half Blake Bennett who had a notable day with the boot, landing all of the limited opportunities which came his way.
Bennett also kicked well from hand with the outside backs supporting his kicks with aggressive follow-up defence.
Aston enjoyed the better of the first half in what was a tight game throughout.
Stafford favoured attacking close to ruck and maul but Aston gave nothing in defence where Finnemore and Horrocks were as usual prominent.
Bennett slotted two penalty goals in the first half, Stafford managing one in reply, but the highlight of the half was the try scored by Alex Buller and which is surely an early candidate for try of the season.
It started with strong Stafford pressure relieved when right wing Terry Finn marked the ball near his own line.
Noting that Stafford were committed to their attack Finn wasted no time in taking a quick tap and haring off up the pitch, beating several defenders with a snaking run.
At halfway he found Andrew Tovey in support and he took the move into the Stafford half before feeding Alex Buller on the left wing.
There was still much for Buller to do but his pace and power took him away and through the despairing Stafford tacklers for a quite brilliant try. Bennett added the deserved conversion.
Playing up the slope in the second period, Aston continued their stout defence.
Oz Horrocks deserves particular mention for his sterling work in both attacking and defensive line-outs.
Aston even went a little further ahead with Bennett's final penalty goal and it was closing in on full time when Stafford scored a try which was not enough to claw the game away from the hosts.
The missed conversion meant Aston could sit out the last few minutes comfortably despite the handicap of Parkes being off the field, comically yellow carded almost as soon as he had come off the bench.
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