OLD Halesonians team manager Simon Hussey was pleased with the promise his players showed against league leaders South Leicester.

Hales lost 39-25 away last Saturday after a hard fought contest.

"We showed what we are capable of," said Hussey after the defeat. "We need to work on the finer details but the players should be congratulated on their performance against the outright promotion team in this league."

The home side immediately got into their stride with their simple but effective catch and driving mauls from set play and lineout in particular. After nine minutes a catch and drive resulted in a converted try despite stern defence by Hales.

Three minutes later the visitors came back with driving runs from Pete Fitzgerald, Tom Jordan and Tom King.

On 12 minutes the pressure continued, Hooper received a ball in midfield and made a break to score a try wide out, missing the conversion to take the scores to 7-5. The next 10 minutes saw Hales unnerving the opposition with crunching tackles and intensity, the home players were expecting to walk this game but Hales had other ideas.

Leicester again fought back following an infringement. Again a lineout, catch and drive for another converted try on 21 minutes put them 14-5 in the lead. #

Again Hales came back from the kick off. Constant pressure by the Hales forwards and backs forced two penalties from the home side in quick succession. Hooper converted both to pull the score back to 14 - 11.

Leicester were visibly in shock as the Hales backs gave them constant problems.

On 34 minutes, King received the kick off, forwards supported. Skipper Rich Taylor, having a great game with his lines of running, fed fellow Prop Louis Padian on the right flank. He set off on one of his runs, out pacing the opposition pack. As the full back approached Luke Smith took the inside pass to sprint into the opposition half.

His mazy run into the centre of the field saw him caught but fed the supporting backs. Wing Oliver came inside and then outpaced his opposite wing to score on 34 minutes. Hooper took a brilliant conversion from the touch line for Hales to take the lead.

Now it was Leicester's turn to fight back. The home side kicked for touch, another catch drive and try, again against valiant Hales defence but the bulk of the Leicester pack took them over. The conversion was good giving the home side a 21-18 lead at half time.

The second half saw Hales against the slope and wind expecting an onslaught. Leicester put pressure on resulting in a drop goal from the Hales 22 metre line. From the kick off, again the home side worked their forwards.

Leicester kicked to the corner, the ball was passed to their replacement wing, former premiership player Lee Robinson, who scored in the corner. The conversion was missed for a lead of 29-18.

Again Hales regrouped and took the game to Leicester. Solid forward play and continuing driving mauls saw the home side penalised on many occasions. A lineout catch and drive again saw Leicester infringing under the pressure. As a result they lost two players to yellow cards.

On 69 minutes Hales took advantage and from another scrum the home side gave away a penalty try, converted by Hooper 29 - 25 with 10 minutes to go. Hales could not capitalise on the two man advantage and on 75 minutes conceded a penalty to go 32 - 25 behind.

The least Hales deserved was a losing bonus point but on 80 minutes Leicester broke away for a final try and conversion to win 39 - 25.

They will meet Bournville away this Saturday.