Aldridge 18 Essington 17 ​League game​8th October 2011
 
Essington travelled to the chaos that is Aldridge RFC, playing at Sutton RFC ground.
The coach had already warned about the senior Sutton side playing O Halesonians, but no one could have foresaw the terrible arrangements that welcomed us in supposedly a league home game for Aldridge. Combined with the ground not being confirmed until late Thursday, lack of changing facilities, no information on pitch and post match hospitality sadly lacking, perhaps in hindsight we fell for the away game nightmare.
 
The game started well for Essington scoring a superb try within two minutes. Birty broke from the back of a scum, just on their 22m line, sprinted right down the blind side, evaded several tackles and scored. Converted by Aly. Within 5 minutes Aldridge were awarded a penalty for an off side player and scored, making the score 3-5.
 
The game now became difficult for Essington, being penalised for a seemingly endless stream of minor infringements causing frustration and a lack of continuity.
In spite of this, in one of the few passages of open play, after 25 minutes, Kip made a typical breaking run, run off to the wing and gave a try scoring pass to Andy Barker.
Unfortunately these two tries were possibly the only highlights of the game.
 
Just before half time, an altercation occurred, with Essington Captain Nick Brittain receiving a vicious punch to the face in front of the referee. The Aldridge players punishment was a yellow card! This was typical of how the game was run.
 
Immediately after half time Aly slotted a fine penalty making it 3-17. Unfortunately Essington were again punished with a penalty for a player not rolling away at a breakdown, now making the score 6-17. Although not playing well, Essington were in control, but then a loose looped pass was intercepted. The Aldridge player scored under the posts and it was converted. This made the score 13-17.
There were so many minor decisions going against Essington it was difficult to make ground and Aldridge seemed to continually benefit from being able to influence decisions. A totally frustrating situation, bearing in mind Essington allow referees to officiate without interference.
 
With only minutes to go, Aldridge were awarded a penalty 15 metres out and needing more than 4 points to win, they opted to run the ball. The ball was played without the penalty taker making contact with his boot to ball, but the referee missed this vital decision, he  passed and a player ran through the defence and scored. It was not converted, but that late score sealed the game.
Essington did have a final rally, pushing deep into the Aldridge 22m, but the option for the drop goal missed and the defeat was sealed.
 
Essington are away next week to Market Drayton in the National Cup. Look at their website!!!

Message from El

I would like to say a big thank you to Ben Richards who played for over an hour while not feeling well and throwing up before the game and also to the clubs old trusty blind man Mike Chandler who stepped in to play due to a shortage of front row players!!

Thanks lads!!!