OLD Halesonians RFC stay third in Midlands One West following an excellent 22-16 win over Bournville.

Chris Hooper put them in front early on with a penalty but the visitors fought back to lead through two Alex Warner kicks.

Right on the stroke of half-time Bournville’s Jonathon Tideswell sliced a drop goal attempt right in front of the posts.

However, from the restart Bournville sustained pressure on Hales by again pinning them down in their own 22 and getting a third penalty, which Warner dispatched for a 9-3 lead at the half.

Hales came roaring back at the start of the second period and a Hooper penalty quickly reduced the deficit.

Some ferocious tackling from the home side helped nullify Bournville attacks and forward pressure eventually brought reward as another Hooper kick levelled matters.

The kicker was off target with his next attempt but then made no mistake on 65 minutes as he put the hosts in front, after Bournville’s Paul Cox was yellow carded for an elbow.

With ten minutes to go came the crucial moment as Luke Smith raced the length of the field to score, Hooper’s conversion and another penalty minutes later making it 22-9.

That was that though there was some solace for the visitors, who picked up a losing bonus point in the final move of the match.