First team - Old Halesonians 33 - 15 Hereford

Old Hales first team were in non-league action this week in the Quarter Finals of the North Midlands Cup against Hereford.

Having suffered three consecutive losses, the side needed to rebuild confidence whilst giving some young developing club players opportunity to show their abilities at this level.

Three Colts in the starting line-up included fly half Jamie Keen, flanker Kieran Haynes and for his debut, full back Joel Keenan. Also second team back row Luke Irwin started in the pack and centre Sam Shephard with his first start.

Hales led by the return of skipper Steve Leach from injury, supported by regulars, Rich Taylor, Loz Breese, Carl Robinson, Tom King and Luke Smith started strong.

After four minutes, Hereford were penalised for a try stopping infringement, the referee awarded a penalty try, converted by Keen to lead 7 - 0.

Hales were dominant in parts but Hereford worked hard to set up attacking momentum. Again Hales tackling at times was sporadic but Hales forwards maintained pressure with Haynes, Taylor and hooker Sam Jones making ground.

On 32 minutes after exchange of ground, Keen attacked supported by Jones. The ball was sent wide for wing Jay Reid to score in the corner 12 -0. Hales again relaxed and from the next attack the ball was intercepted by Hereford for a converted try 12 - 7 at half time.

The second half needed to improve for the home side with prop Tom Dempsey replacing Rich Taylor at tight head. Hereford maintained ball possession and worked another fine try to draw level 12 - 12.

After some regrouping Hales started to perform with Ian Briggs coming in to fly half with Keen moving to full back. Taylor again joined the fray with Dempsey moving to loose head, the scrum was totally dominant with Hereford reversing at a rate of knots. Pressure from Martin Hooker, Robinson and Shephard saw Breese breakthrough for a try converted by Briggs to lead 19 -12. Hereford responded with a penalty 19- 15. Hales had found their feet and dominated from here.

Briggs collected a ball in the visitor's 22, sold a dummy and sprinted unopposed for a try which he converted 26 - 15. Hereford were under constant pounding in the scrum and from a resulting maul skipper Leach drove for the line for a try converted by Briggs for a 33 - 15 victory.

Hales' first team meet Birmingham Solihull at home on Saturday in the league, kick off 2.15pm.

Second team - Old Halesonians 2nds 0 – 26 Towcestrians 2nds

Old Hales faced Towcestrians in the second round of the Midlands Reserve League Cup.

Old Hales started the game on the front foot and for the first 10 minutes dominated. Good pressure from the forwards gave Old Hales opportunities to score but a mixture of taking the wrong option and good defence by Towcester resulted in Old Hales failing to score.

Towcester came back into the game and for the next 20 minutes it was a keenly fought battle. After 30 minutes the visitors put together several phases of attacking play and finally moved the ball quickly to the left to score in the corner for a 0-5 lead.

Towcestrians had the better of the second half and used the ball more effectively. The first of Towcester’s three second half tries came when their centre ran a good line and sliced though the Old Hales defence for a converted try. The second try followed a kick and chase; Towcester regained possession and the ball was passed to a supporting player to go over for a converted try to make the score 0-19.

The final try of the game was scored when the visitor’s turned over Old Hales ball and made a telling break though a flat footed Old Hales defence. The try was converted for a final score of 0-26.

Old Hales' second XV's next game is away against Birmingham Solihull 2nds on Saturday November 19.