Sat 14 Sep 2024
Shire Hall 31 Aldermaston 36
It had been 5 years since Shire last faced Aldermaston in a league match. On that day, we were hammered but probably because half our normal team were stranded in Malaga! This game was captain Ollie Homan-Green’s 100th game for the club and he was joined on the pitch by 4 former captains in Denver, Watkins, Birch and Margot. Both teams had issues with availabilities but with good communication between both clubs, two full teams kicked off the match to ensure the game could go ahead. Aldermaston started the stronger and it took them only 4 minutes to record the first try of the game. This seemed to spark Shire into life and after a good passing movement, one of our guests touched down to bring the scores level. Rhys Stewart added the conversion for Shire to take the lead. Aldermaston continued to press hard and after 20 minutes, they got their reward with a converted try. One of Shire’s problems from last season started to appear again and it was not long before Luke Barefoot was sent to the naughty step for a high tackle. Aldermaston then capitalised on their man advantage and scored another converted try to give them a 19 – 7 lead. Luke Jellicoe had started to cause Aldermaston problems with his elusive running and his one-handed offloads but they didn’t always come off. Shire were losing good possession at the breakdown due to Aldermaston’s excellent counter rucking and Shire’s woeful support play. The half ended well for Shire though when the attacking play stretched the Aldermaston defence and created an easy walk in for Rhys Stewart who also converted for the extra points.
Half Time Score: Shire Hall 14 Aldermaston 19
The second half did not start well for Shire as Aldermaston increased their lead to 10 points after some good work resulted in another converted try and also ensured the try bonus point for them. On the hour, Shire finally crossed when Ollie Homan-Green fittingly on his 100th game scored his trademark blindside try. Rhys’ conversion hit the post but now Shire were back in the game. 10 minutes later another mazy run from Luke Jellicoe created a try which Rhys converted to put Shire in the lead for the first time and secured their try bonus point. The last 10 minutes of the game were mental! First Aldermaston scored their 5th try to give them a 3 point lead but with 5 minutes left, Luke Jellicoe created space again to score to put Shire 2 points in the lead. With time running out, it was Aldermaston who scored the final try which was also converted to give them a 5 point victory.
All in all, rugby was the true winner in this excellent example of grassroots rugby. Fittingly Aldermaston won the game but Shire did get a try bonus point and a losing bonus point. We would have taken that before the game with our availability issues. Our heartfelt thanks to Bex and the Aldermaston boys for ensuring such an entertaining game could take place. We look forward to the return match in December and we wish Aldermaston the best of luck for the season. If only all games were played with such tremendous spirit 😊
Final Score: Shire Hall 31 Aldermaston 36
Tries: Guest, Ollie Homan-Green, Rhys Stewart, Luke Jellicoe
Conversions: Rhys Stewart (3)
MOTM: Luke Jellicoe – created many good chances with his elusive running.
DOTD: Rhys Stewart – running into a brick wall after making a good break!
It had been 5 years since Shire last faced Aldermaston in a league match. On that day, we were hammered but probably because half our normal team were stranded in Malaga! This game was captain Ollie Homan-Green’s 100th game for the club and he was joined on the pitch by 4 former captains in Denver, Watkins, Birch and Margot. Both teams had issues with availabilities but with good communication between both clubs, two full teams kicked off the match to ensure the game could go ahead. Aldermaston started the stronger and it took them only 4 minutes to record the first try of the game. This seemed to spark Shire into life and after a good passing movement, one of our guests touched down to bring the scores level. Rhys Stewart added the conversion for Shire to take the lead. Aldermaston continued to press hard and after 20 minutes, they got their reward with a converted try. One of Shire’s problems from last season started to appear again and it was not long before Luke Barefoot was sent to the naughty step for a high tackle. Aldermaston then capitalised on their man advantage and scored another converted try to give them a 19 – 7 lead. Luke Jellicoe had started to cause Aldermaston problems with his elusive running and his one-handed offloads but they didn’t always come off. Shire were losing good possession at the breakdown due to Aldermaston’s excellent counter rucking and Shire’s woeful support play. The half ended well for Shire though when the attacking play stretched the Aldermaston defence and created an easy walk in for Rhys Stewart who also converted for the extra points.
Half Time Score: Shire Hall 14 Aldermaston 19
The second half did not start well for Shire as Aldermaston increased their lead to 10 points after some good work resulted in another converted try and also ensured the try bonus point for them. On the hour, Shire finally crossed when Ollie Homan-Green fittingly on his 100th game scored his trademark blindside try. Rhys’ conversion hit the post but now Shire were back in the game. 10 minutes later another mazy run from Luke Jellicoe created a try which Rhys converted to put Shire in the lead for the first time and secured their try bonus point. The last 10 minutes of the game were mental! First Aldermaston scored their 5th try to give them a 3 point lead but with 5 minutes left, Luke Jellicoe created space again to score to put Shire 2 points in the lead. With time running out, it was Aldermaston who scored the final try which was also converted to give them a 5 point victory.
All in all, rugby was the true winner in this excellent example of grassroots rugby. Fittingly Aldermaston won the game but Shire did get a try bonus point and a losing bonus point. We would have taken that before the game with our availability issues. Our heartfelt thanks to Bex and the Aldermaston boys for ensuring such an entertaining game could take place. We look forward to the return match in December and we wish Aldermaston the best of luck for the season. If only all games were played with such tremendous spirit 😊
Final Score: Shire Hall 31 Aldermaston 36
Tries: Guest, Ollie Homan-Green, Rhys Stewart, Luke Jellicoe
Conversions: Rhys Stewart (3)
MOTM: Luke Jellicoe – created many good chances with his elusive running.
DOTD: Rhys Stewart – running into a brick wall after making a good break!
