A SEASON of hard graft looms for Old Eds on the evidence of this opening to the Midlands 1 West programme. Outweighed and pushed around in the set pieces by a lively home pack and nullified by some fierce defence when the ball went wide, Eds can have few complaints about this early setback. They trailed 17-0 at the break and even their hardened band of supporters feared the worst when the game resumed. But, to their credit, Eds rallied strongly and their fighting spirit saw them dominate possession and position for long periods in the second period. Once again, back-row flier Stuart Holes was the man to catch the eye and, in addition to some sparkling breaks from the base of the scrum, was always on hand in support wide out. Player coach Jody Peacock, who moved in to stand-off from his normal centre spot, said afterwards: “In the first half we were a bit shaky. We were just finding our feet but in the second half we showed we are at the races. “We just need to have a bit more composure in the last five or 10 metres. “I think that in two or three weeks down the line we will start turning pressure into points. “The boys fronted up really well and were still going at 80 minutes, which shows they have put a lot of hard work into the pre-season.” Under the watchful eye of a woman referee, who handled the game both expertly and impressively, the home side went ahead in the third minute from a simple penalty. Ten minutes later, Holes put in the first of some searing charges but was pulled down short and Halesonians were able to clear from the resulting scrum. On 20 minutes, Eds were 10-0 adrift after Halesonians made good use of an overlap wide out and scored a converted try. Eds were being driven back in the scrums and seven minutes on, Halesonians made it 17-0 with another snappy try under the posts, easily improved. Just before half-time Eds full-back Adam Jones was wide with a penalty shot. The second half told a different story as Eds began to exert pressure, although they were held at bay by some stern defence. However, they could not hold out forever and young Eds prop Adam Wilson grabbed a try after another drive at the line. Jones could not improve the solitary score. On a rare excursion into Eds territory, an easy penalty took Halesonians to 20-5 ahead before Eds returned to battering away at the home line without success. On the half-hour Halesonians lost a second-row man for 10 minutes for a loose scrum infringement but soon after - and against the run of play - scored their fourth and final try, which was too wide out to be improved. | 
Article
