Old Hales rise to top spot

Seb Rose's 21 point haul secured another emphatic win for Old Halesonians.

The result - a 58-3 away victory against Burntwood - sends the Wassell Grove side top of Midlands Four West on points difference from this weekend's opponents Bournville.

Rose said his side were expecting one of the toughest tests of the season against a side relegated last season, but nothing of the sort ensued as Old Hales ran in eight unanswered tries from all quarters of the pitch.

Winger Matt Johnson secured a hat-trick and busy scrum-half Chris Wagstaff and Rose both settled for a brace.

Flanker Jon Tideswell got the forwards' try-scoring account open for the day. Rose said: "We were surprised at how poor they were because we were expecting a tough game.

"They have obviously lost quite a few players from last season."

The opposite could be said of promotion rivals Bournville, who beat Harbourne 33-8 on Saturday.

They have drafted in several new faces in the off-season, a move which has paid dividends thus far, according to Rose.

He added: "The feeling is good around the camp at the moment but the big test is against Bournville.

"Apparently they have some smoking backs, many of whom could be playing a lot a higher level - but that means they might not have gelled as a team yet."

Willenhall's young side clinched their second win of the season against Old Yardleians to move up to fifth.

Following last week's narrow loss to rivals Old Hales, the Bognop Road men returned to winning ways with a comfortable but competitive 27-13 victory against their struggling visitors.

This weekend's test against Tamworth, as yet unbeaten this season, poses a different proposition.