Old Yardleians 15 Aston Old Edwardians 16
In another close battle at Tilehouse Lane, Old Yardleians came up just short against regular rivals Aston Old Edwardians. The visitors opened the scoring with a Tom McNamee penalty on 9 minutes. This was followed 4 minutes later when confusion in the Old Yards defence on their own line allowed Rick Buxton to pounce for an Aston try. McNamee converted to make it 10-0. Yards started to get back into the game and following an Aston infringement Dean Brain slotted over a penalty. Then as it neared half time Yard's No.8 Steve Grainger broke the Aston line and set centre Jo Patrick free. He made 35 yards out pacing the defence before passing the ball through the hands of the backs enabling Richard Dransfield to score a try. Dean Brain converted to make it 10 all at half time. Aston took the lead early in the second half with another Tom McNamee penalty. The rest of the 2nd half went without incident until the end. Three minutes into injury time Yards broke out of their own half in a move involving Steve Grainger, Dave Langley and Gary Robinson. As they drove towards the Aston line the ball was passed right through the backs where Adam Walker scored making it 15-12 to Old Yardleians. With seconds left Aston kicked off. With a win just about in the bag Yards gave away a penalty 40 metres out. Up stepped Tom McNamee again and kicked the ball through the posts giving Aston a 16-15 win.
Old Yardleians are home again next week in a friendly against Redditch. K.O. 2.15.
Your Rugby Correspondents - Mark and XC