Old Hales 65, Bournville 17

OLD Halesonians continued their pre-season programme with a comfortable home win over Bournville last Saturday.

The first team took to the field in only their second warm-up match, having taken on Newbold two weeks ago in a worthwhile run-out, beating the visitors by six tries to two.

Hales included several new recruits in their 24-man squad.

These included former Nuneaton forward Adam Wilson, who plays prop and hooker; back row Adam Clayton, who captained National Three side East Grinstead; and former Worcester and Stourbridge hooker Jordan Page.

Other additions include former Bromsgrove scrum half Chris Danks, utility back Ian Briggs and Martin Hooker from Birmingham Solihull and former Newport Salop winger Sam Musiyarira.

Early exchanges saw Hales dominant with tries from the impressive Musiyarira, Martin Hooker and Andy Holloway in the centre.

Hales’ pack were rampant with player-coach Ben Hughes, his second row partner Rich Sawyer, Max Macfarlane and back row partners Clayton and Loz Breese totally overshadowing the visitors.

The second half saw changes for both sides. From the kick-off Bournville failed to secure the ball which Hales flanker Macfarlane collected and sprinted unopposed to the line. Hales dominated with two more tries by winger Musiyarira.

In the next play Breese, supported by Luke Smith, took an over-arm pass inside to sprint unopposed for the line.

Bournville fought back and scored twice but the home side were seeing the benefit of pre-season fitness training.

Hughes found himself in support of the backs, taking a loop pass to sprint 40 metres to score, much to the delight of the lively crowd.

More pressure by Hales saw Sawyer collect outside the visitors’ 22, he set off to beat the defence for an excellent try.

At the final whistle, Hales had been too strong for the Midlands One West side.

Head coach Hughes said: "This was an 80-minute effort by all of the team, we can feel good going into our first league match in two weeks.

“We will do this as a squad, not everyone will play every week but we need to retain a large squad to challenge for the top of National Midlands Three.”

Old Hales meet Lichfield at home for their first league game on September 3 (3pm).