Sat 14 Dec 2024
Aldermaston 7 Shire Hall 57
The last time the two sides met was the first game of this season. Then, inventive lending of players by both sides ensured the game could progress. This time round both teams had full sides and stacked benches. This game saw the return of Max Davies and Will Jellicoe but with no recognised scrum half available, Alex Webb stepped up. An injured Neil Evans only made the bench just in case. It is a big wide pitch at Aldermaston, so the message was clear for Shire to utilize their speed merchants and spread the ball wide as early as possible. After only two minutes, Shire did exactly that to give Rhys Stewart a simple run in. He couldn’t convert but Shire were on their way. Will Jellicoe’s return to rugby was marked with a trademark bullocking run putting defenders on their backsides! After another 10 minutes, blind side king Ollie Homan-Green went over to score his first try which would turn out to be memorable afternoon for him. Rhys Stewart landed the difficult kick and now Shire were playing decent rugby. Next on the score sheet was Ashton Field who was put into space and turned on the afterburners to leave the Aldermaston defence in tatters. 10 minutes later Ashton found space again and the same result occurred to record his 5th try in only 5 games. An Aldermaston player asked if Ashton could run at him rather using his pace to run round him! Rhys Stewart added both conversions and Shire had secured the try bonus point in under 30 minutes. But then strangely Shire slipped back into their old ways by allowing Aldermaston back into the game. The last 10 minutes of the half saw Shire make many mistakes which hadn’t been apparent in the previous 30. Aldermaston scored a deserved converted try after some weak tackling but thankfully half time came soon after.
Half Time Score: Aldermaston 7 Shire Hall 26
Some stern words at half time seem to shake Shire back into action and after 6 minutes got back to scoring ways when Ollie Homan-Green bounced a defender to score his second try of the game. Matt Margot took over the kicking duties and landed the conversion. It was only 5 minutes later when Ollie Homan-Green went over again to record a hat trick from a 2nd Row! Matt Margot’s conversion hit the post but Shire’s tails were up. Good runs from Dan Smedley, Max Davies and that man Ollie again continued Shire’s supremacy. Gwyn Robins went over from a ruck after some good teamwork. Matt Margot landed the conversion albeit with the help of a post. Shire continued to the up the tempo and a quick penalty from Dave Tridgell saw him go over to bring up the 50 points. Once again, Matt Margot’s conversion hit the post so 3 of his four kicks at goal managed that feat! Some of Shire’s tackling did not sit right with the referee and after a team warning, Dave Tridgell saw yellow, harshly in his opinion! Another good run in the backs in the last minute saw Alistair McGregor nearly go over but from the resulting ruck, Matt Margot dived over. Rhys Stewart had returned to the pitch and so he attempted the conversion. He duly landed it without the help of a post!
This was a fine display from Shire apart from that 10 minutes in the first half. We hadn’t beaten Aldermaston since 2019 so to win in such style was very pleasing. Good support play, much improved passing and speed of attack were the basic factors here. We now have a 3 week break until the next match against Farnham Royal in January. A Happy Christmas to all players and officials of this wonderful club !
Final Score: Aldermaston 7 Shire Hall 57
Tries: Rhys Stewart, Ollie Homan-Green (3), Ashton Field (2), Matt Margot, Gwyn Robins,
Dave Tridgell
Conversions: Rhys Stewart (4), Matt Margot (2)
MOTM: Ollie Homan-Green – 3 tries and an outstanding all round game.
DOTD: Will Jellicoe – missing the last few games in order to look after a puppy ! (Harsh, I know)
