Hot (and dry) stuff from Redingensians

'Ensians minus 8 players attempting to catch the County selectors eyes, and A & F fielding a mixed U14/U15 squad due to the size of their club.

In the circumstances it provided the home side with a great opportunity to see how the close seasons acquisitions would fit in and also to make a few interesting positional changes. Both sets of supporters donned sun tan lotion and battle began.

Aldershot won the toss and kicked off. The ball was safely gathered in by Lu at No 8 who made good ground up the left wing. A & F transgressed at the breakdown adjudged to have handled in the ruck, and a quick tap was taken by Lee. After several phases of strong forward play 'Ensians were awarded a scrum in an attacking position and Lu broke off the back of the scrum, managed to offload when tackled to Lee who cantered over to draw first blood. 5 - 0.

From the A & F kick off the ball was quickly returned with interest into the oppositions 22. With some aggressive rucking from the "engine room" of debutant Dolton and Griffiths, ably supported by flankers Cushine-Palmer and Webb (another debutant) the ball was set up from a break down in play for the backs to benefit. With quick hands scrum half Lee released his backs and Eves, Dickinson and the resurgent Speigler showed quick hands, getting the ball to Richardson in the line at full back and finally to Oliver for a touch down in the corner. Classic rugby. Richardson converted well 12 - 0.

Once again the A & F kick off was secured by the forwards and after several phases the ball was spun out this time to the left wing where Dolton scored his first try for the club.17 - 0.

A & F changed tactics kicking deep from the restart. Lee called and took the catch at pace thundering down the left wing before chipping over the full backs head. Unfortunately the covering winger was able to collect and clear the danger. However from the resultant lineout the forwards rumbled forward and after several exchanges Holt burst over the line to score. 22 - 0. Oliver stepped up and stroked the conversion. 24 - 0.

With half time not too far away the A & F restart this time was well caught by Webb who passed to his fly half Eves who with an impressive change of direction broke down the right despite several despairing tackles. He was eventually brought to ground just outside the oppositions 22 from where the ball broke to Richardson who jinked one way then the other before scoring under the posts. Oliver again stroked the extras 31 - 0. Unfortunately Eves turned his ankle and elected to sit out the remainder of the match.

HALF TIME

The supporters slapped on more sun cream whilst the players took on water. As is often the way with early season friendly matches, squad rotation was the order of the day. Positional changes were also made. Richardson slipped uncomfortably to No 8. Lee drifted back to Full back, Cushine-Palmer volunteered for a stint on the wing and Weir had a trundle at flanker, to name but a few.. Ummm...would the opposition fall for these cunning changes?

From the kick off early pressure was applied by the home side and against his better judgement Richardson was on hand to score the first try of the second half. Hughes in his first start for the squad retained his position at outside centre for the start of the second half and grew in confidence as the match progressed. One classic break down the left nearly resulted in a try for Hughes, but the offload found Dickinson, up well in support and the ball fell to Cushine-Palmer who scored. A second score from Dolton followed another period of excellent handling by the backs and left the score 46 - 0.

The home sides scrum held well with McCrory switching to hooker for part of the second half, and Paterson and Bloomfield either side of the front row. It was good to see Cruickshank returning from injury in the second row, joined by Langstone. Bloomfield made his third trundle of the afternoon when he executed a superb Moiri side step by running straight over the A & F No 13. Cushine Palmer slipped surprisingly well into the No 14 spot. He treated the spectators to a "Campese Goose step" as he attempted to out wit his opposite number. Sadly the A & F winger, clearly not wanting to be out played by a forward masquerading as a winger, took his man out. However Speigler was on hand to receive the offload and he trotted over to score. 51 - 0.

The last 10 minutes fell slightly apart with everyone trying to make a name for themselves.

Lock Griffiths rounded off the morning when he broke from the back of a ruck, and rounded the whole of the A & F backs to score in the corner.

FINAL SCORE 56 - 0.

Aldershot and Fleet; A massive thanks to the whole squad who never let their heads drop. Many thanks to Emma for running the squad and particularly well done to your No 5, No 9 and No15 who all had good games.

Redingensians; A good team performance for the first game of the season. Particularly pleasing to see how all the new guys fitted in, so particularly well done to Dolton, Hughes, Lee, Lu, and Webb.

Thanks to Paul for refereeing the match.

Man of the Match; Could have gone to a number of players, but went to Lee, who had a cracking game all round.

Numpty of the week. Lee who showed off by hitting the uprights with one conversion, was narrowly pipped to the award by Cushine-Palmer for his impersonation of a certain Aussie when attacking down the right wing.