Champions

10:30am Thursday 13th March 2008

Old Halesonians secured promotion to Midlands Division Three for next season with an emphatic victory away at promotion rivals Willenhall.

The game itself was affected by a strong which. Understanding the importance of the conditions, Hales opted to play against the conditions- uphill and against the wind- in the hope of having the tactical upper hand in the second half. However, this meant that Hales were reduced to running most of their possession, regardless of field position. The first half began with some thumping forwards play, as both packs tried to illustrate their superiority.

In the 19th minute, Hales found themselves surging toward the try-line after driving a line-out in the Willenhall 22. The ball was held up over the line, and from the ensuing scrum Hales were awarded a penalty try for the Willenhall back row not being bound.

Fly-half Ben Smith duly added the conversion. Hales continued to pressure the home side's defence with positive mixture of forwards and backs play.

The hosts on the other hand, were not to be denied their opportunities. Willenhall fly-half Karl Hungus kicked a penalty in the 28th minute, awarded after Hales were deemed to be holding the ball on the ground. Both sides continued to try to use the conditions to their advantage, but it was Hales who looked the stronger of the two. Despite this the only other scoring opportunities in the first half fell to Willenhall, who were awarded two midfield penalties, which were missed.

With the score 7-3 at half time, Hales were never going to lose the game and were able to use the conditions to their advantage and Willenhall rarely emerged from their own half.

Smith missed a difficult penalty from halfway shortly after the break.

But it wasn't long before Hales were able to capitalise on their two-man advantage. Being required to bring on a front-row replacement to scrum, Willenhall chose to play without a fullback. Receiving the ball from a scrum in midfield, Smith cleverly chipped into the open space, centre Dickie Harding was the first to the ball, which he gathered and scored. Smith scored the conversion.

The visitors continued to kick for territory and Tom Harris replaced Smith with 10 minutes to go, and made a large impact in his short spell on the pitch.

In injury time, Harris received the ball from a ruck and spotted half a gap.

He darted inside his opposite man and had plenty of speed to make it to the try line from 20-yards out. A well- taken individual effort by Harris, who added the conversion to finish. The champagne was immediately opened and the celebrations began for the boys in yellow and blue from Wassell Grove.

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