Old Halesonians 33 Derby 24

OLD Halesonians Presidents Day lunch was the curtain raiser for this must-win penultimate league fixture.

The Hales team saw a couple of changes with coach Ben Hughes in as second row and Callum Young brought into the back row.

Also Colts Tom Warrington at scrum half and Ben Homer on the wing started with Josh Woodward and Harrison Plumb on the bench.

Early exchanges favoured Hales with some dominant forward set piece play.

Warrington adapted well to the speed of the game giving Steve Powell at fly half regular ball to feed the backs.

A move up the right wing involving Ben Barkley and Carl Robinson resulted in support by Callum Young and a well worked unconverted try in the corner.

Within 10 minutes Hales were again on the attack, with passes from Warrington to Powell to Barkley who broke through the defence. Smith supported and sprinted for a try, converted by Chris Hooper.

Derby as expected would always be in this game, constantly putting pressure on Hales whose defence was very good.

The visitors forced a penalty to pull back to 12-3 at half time.

From the restart Hales again pushed forward with the backs making ground through Barkley, Hooper, Smith and Robinson. Hales camped in the Derby 22 with dominant scrums.

Young found Hughes as the pack gathered and drove for a deserved pushover try by number 8 Jay Martin, converted by Hooper.

After the restart Derby found their feet and returned the pressure.

A charged down kick by Hooper gifted a try to the visitors, this was followed by a penalty for Derby for a high tackle.

For a period Hales were on the back foot and conceded another try and penalty to level the scores at 19 all.

Hales made changes, Matt Young on at prop for Matt Probert, Plumb on for Rich Sawyer.

Again forward pressure and a driving maul saw Hooker Sam Jones over for a try, converted by Hooper.

Derby again came back to test Hales defence, the ball moved along the backs close to Hales line, Smith intercepted and sprinted the length of the field for a breakaway try to the hosts.

Derby again would not give up, they regrouped and finished the game with a try.

Halesowen's last league game is away to Lichfield on Saturday April 22, kick off 3 pm.