Sat 11 Nov 2023
Redditch didn't have the best of days at Old Halesonians though the score line was not a fair reflection of their overall performance.
R found themselves frustrated by their inability to break down a resilient home defence and a feeling that decisions were not going their way in the loose. OH capitalised on a couple of yellow cards in the first half when they found the try line twice following a stream of phases in the Redditch red zone and later when their winger found an overlap.
R were competitive throughout. Though they lost a couple of scrums to a heavier pack they were able to steal a couple of lineouts in return. Craig Martin Richie Beddard and James Mathews led the pack forward with Mickey Adams and Dan Oscroft and Sean Madden adding their weight to a driving forward pack that gained territory on a regular basis. Their issues came when the ball and momentum came to a halt and they either lost possession or were deemed to have transgressed.
Archie Beddard at fullback had a solid game and gained precious meters with accurate kicking, as did Will Heath whose 60m kick late in the first half set up the key position for the pack to drive at the line with Dan Oscroft scoring, the conversion from AB hit the post but at 10-5 R were still well in the game.
The second half was more of a defensive pattern for R, the home side upped their game and took advantage of possession that the R errors and the refs whistle gave them. Despite some terrific tackling especially from Will Heath, Jon Beale and Will Spires in the backline OH were able to run in three second half tries, a red card for R didn't help matters.
This Sat R will need to up their game in a mid table clash with Keresley. 2.15ko
