Old Hales 33 Wolverhampton 7.

A BLUSTERY Wassell Grove was the venue for a comprehensive win for top-of-the table Old Hales over a struggling Wolverhampton side.

The hosts started the game lively as they had the previous week, creating a number of opportunities, yet the conditions appeared to be Hales’ biggest opposition, with a heavy pitch and wet ball resulting in numerous handling mistakes. The home side forwards didn’t let this trouble them too much and they soon responded by taking two scrums against the head. Wolverhampton’s problems in the scrum were compounded after 14 minutes when, after two cynical infringements in a minute- a late tackle followed by stamping saw hooker Joe Besser receive a straight red card. Soon afterwards some excellent variety of attacking options provided Hales with their first try. Switching swiftly from one side to another, fly half Tom Harris provided Steve Gollins with ball in space on the blind side who beat his man to score a well-taken try.

Mark Wakefield duly added the conversion. From this point, Hales were in the ascendancy and took control of the game without ever fully exploiting the wavering Wolverhampton defence. A second score came after some excellent interchanges between the Hales back row and three quarters. The ball found its way to replacement wing Tim Curtis, whose experience told as he cleverly beat his man on the slippery surface to score out wide for an unconverted try.

Next it was the turn of Tristan Laga, who claimed the first of what are fast becoming characteristic tries.

Following some continued phases of bombardment inside the opposition 22, Laga picked up from the breakdown and surged forward, powering through the defence to score. Wakefield converted and was not to miss again, finishing with four from five. This gave the home side a 18-0 half time lead.

A number of changes allowed Hales to experiment after the break as they continued to dominate at the breakdown and around the pitch. Whilst creating numerous chances to score, Hales only managed two further tries. Laga added his second try in the 57th minute after the backs had gained excellent territory through direct running from centre Jon Harris. A consolation try allowed Wolverhampton a reward for their huge defensive efforts. Yet it was the home side who finished the brighter. Much to the amusement of the crowd, replacement prop Sean Gaynham picked an sublime running line 5-metres from the Wolves line.

Gaynham took the ball at lightning pace and went through untouched to score under the posts.