Old Hales stay top of the table

Old Halesonians moved to the top of Midland Four West after an away win which saw them comfortably beat their most likely promotion rivals 22-0 with a blistering second half performance.

Against a large Bournville pack infused with southern hemisphere imports, Hales had to 'front-up' to avoid being bullied out of the game.

With both packs locking horns, it was clear the crowd were in for a treat. Once Hales had soaked up the early Bournville pressure, they took the game to their opponents with some fierce rucking and excellent scrummaging.

Hales invariably slowed the ball down or managed to turnover possession and Tom Harris kicked well from hand to keep his forwards on the front foot and the game scoreless at half-time.

Just four minutes in the second period the breakthrough came.

Aaron Adshead stole the ball down at a breakdown and fed Harris, who dummied and raced in for the try.

Skipper Seb Rose converted and added a penalty a minute later, taking the score to 10-0.

A second try came on 51 minutes, when Matt Wagstaff capitalised on a mistake in the Bournville midfield to make a forty-metre dash under the posts.

Rose added two points with the conversion and the cushion allowed Hales to kick for territory, keeping Bournville pinned in their own half.

Alex Church latched on to a chip to seal an excellent team try ten minutes from time, Willenhall will go into this weekend's Midlands Four West clash with Veseyians full of confidence - despite being on the end of a narrow defeat to Tamworth on Saturday.

The Bognop Road men beat this weekend's opponents twice last season and, despite preparing to face a different side, believe they will get their promotion hopes back on the road.

Coach Eric Field said: "They have had a good start but we beat them both times we faced them last season.

"They are a different team now and seem to be a better side as well.

"We are expecting a tough game - but we have not lost at home yet and we are confident of keeping it that way."

Richard Dunkley and Ben Potts may both be missing from the Willenhall side through injury.