Just another win? Oh no it wasn't. As pantomine season approaches Skippy and Brian were scratching their beards to think of a better performance by a Redditch Team in their combined century of playing and watching.
With a raft of justified cry offs on the morning of the match Redditch arrived at Wassell Grove with just 13 players.
They were met by a full squad of 20 Old Halesonians seconds and directed to the furthest pitch.
Redditch started with the advantage of a howling gale at their backs, but it was only moments before the home side crossed for their first try with things looking ominous for the visitors.
But that was the filip they needed and they settled down to use the wind and get play down into Old Hales territory.
The referee was happy to play advantage and Redditch were happy to take it as 28 minutes elapsed before the first scrum was awarded.
And despite a two man advantage at scrum time Old Hales could not dominate their visitors. The deadlock was eventually broken when Vice Captain Sid Allen skirted the ruck to cross wide out.
Keeping the pressure on the home side Redditch scored two more tries with the wind to take a 10 point lead into the second half.
But how strong was that wind?
It didn't matter as Jon Beale lined up a long pass ans swooped on the ball to intercept it and race to the posts for a touchdown and bonus point.
The Redditch lads started to believe and despite going down to 11 players after an injury to Harry Rutter and yellow card to Dom Smith they matched everything the home side could throw at them.
That said Old H did score two more seconf half tries to bring the score within range. However a cooly taken penalty by Will Spires, into the teetth of the gale, left Redditch with an 8 point lead and a great tactical advantage.
They clung to that lead and scored a final try in the dying moments, securing the 5 league points and denying Old Hales either bonus point opportunity.
A fantastic effort was rewarded with the result it deserved.
See the match report for full details.
Next week we welcome undefeated Chaddesley Corbett to Bromsgrove Road with the kick off likely to be at the winter time of 2:15pm
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