Nuneaton 32 - 17 Old Halesonians

TOP of the table Nuneaton were given an early scare after being down at half time before overcoming Hales in the second period.

Nuns made the better start after 10 minutes and soon opened their account when their South African number 8, Umran Jadwat powered his way over the line with a conversion to lead 7 - 0.

Hales soon hit back with driving phases, back row Joe Collingham, Adam Clayton and Neil Mason leading the way with lock Loz Breese in great form. Nuns were penalised under pressure and full back Ian Briggs kicked the penalty. Hales lost lock Jamie Powell early with an ankle injury, he was replaced by Steve Leach.

On 25 minutes Hales again attacked, Collingham went forward and Mason took the pass to score a try, converted by Briggs to make the score 7-10 at the break.

In the second half Nuns were strong and started to dominate the scrum which is something Hales are not used to.

The visitors were penalised and the score was levelled and Nuns went on the offensive. Hales knocked on under pressure, the ref allowed advantage for the home full back to break through for a converted try to lead 17- 10.

Hales again worked the phases, fly-half Hooper gathered in his own 22 after Nuns returned the attack. He kicked ahead for wing Luke Smith to chase into the opposition 22 unopposed for a certain try, the bounce didn't go his way and the Nuns defender caught him to prevent the score.

A kick was charged down by Nuns for their winger to gather and sprint through the Hales defence for another converted try. From the kick-off Hales fought back with Breese again giving his all with Ben Barkley, Carl Robinson, Rich Taylor and Briggs doing their best to break through.

A passage of play involving the forwards led to a maul on the Nuns' 22. Scrum-half Chris Danks made a break through the defence, he fed Barkley who raced to the line for a try. Briggs converted to put Hales at 24 - 17, one score from drawing level with nine minutes to go.

On 75 minutes again Nuns came back with another try by their wing and Hales found it hard to gain possession. Decisions went against them and another penalty was conceded under scrum pressure giving the home side victory.

Hales travel to Old Towcestrians Saturday for the next league game, kick off 2.15 pm

Old Halesonians Seconds 0 – 45 Nuneaton Seconds

OLD Hales kicked off the new year with a tough encounter against Nuneaton who are in second place in the league. Hales had the better of possession for the first 10 minutes of the game; however, this changed after a Nuneaton catch and drive from a lineout resulted in a converted try.

Following the try, Nuneaton were regularly on the attack and scored two more tries in the first half for a 19-0 lead. The score could have been greater but for the tackling of Old Hales' fullback Andy Tromans.

The first twenty minutes of the second half were scoreless due to Nuneaton being unable to finish off try scoring opportunities.

In the last quarter of the game Nuneaton got the better of the Old Hales defence and ran in four tries; converting three of them. The final score was 45-0 to Nuneaton.

Veseyans Seconds 47 – 24 Old Halesonians Thirds

Old Hales scorers: Tries: Tony Shaw, Chris Harris, Neil Weston, Penalty Try Conversion: Billy Taylor (2)