AEI Stonewalled

 Atherstone 5

AEI 3 

Atherstone won the toss and elected to play with the wind then proceeded to open the scoring with an unconverted try scored out wide in the first ten minutes. From the kick off AEI knocked the ball on which turned over possession allowing Atherstone on the attack again, they continued to use the wind to their advantage with repeated probing kicks into AEI territory. With dominate scrums and good line out ball AEI were able to work their way out of trouble but the high penalty count going against them and a excellent boot from Atherstone meant the AEI were kept well away from scoring. Atherstone came close with a wing break down the line but was stopped 1 meter short by Paul Eaton’s effort. The best chance for AEI coming late in the second half despite creating the overlaps they were unable to score going into half time 5 points down.

The second half was more of the same with gritty defence from both teams. AEI almost conceding a try however full back Richard Pinks managed to hold up the ball up when Atherstone went over the line to save a certain try From the resulting drop out AEI were able to get back up the pitch and then after a fifteen minute period of attacking inside the twenty-two AEI elected to kick a penalty given in front of the post. Richard Pinks finally getting the much needed three points. Just before full time with only 2 minutes on the clock in a nail biting moment AEI again went to kick for three point only to miss from wider out leaving Atherstone with a hard fought win.

Jolly Abbot Man of the match Paul Eaton said “there were lots of random moments, neither side was able to penetrate with good tackling from both teams.”

The moment Mike the kiwi decided to forget a 3 men overlap to miss his side step and get tackled.