Rugby Union
Edwardians march on

Edwardians 57 St Leonards 10

Midlands Four West (North)

EDWARDIANS demolished struggling St Leonards on Saturday, running in ten tries as they returned from the Christmas break in fine style.

Dave Gray kicked an early penalty to give Eds the best possible start before they began to impose themselves in the scrum where the front row gave their counterparts a lesson, putting them on the back foot all afternoon.

Outside centre John Ferdinand scored the first try of the contest after receiving a pass from full back Daniel Johnson which put him in under the posts.

There were a number of aesthetic tries scored with both the backs and forwards contributing to some lovely soft hands, off-loads and stylish finishes.

Inside centre Morgan Hope scored a hat-trick of tries after getting on the end of some clinical backs moves which carved up Saints’ defence throughout the afternoon.

Winger David Coles added two fine individual efforts, stepping out and out sprinting the opposition defence on a number of occasions.

The hosts continued to enjoy the majority of possession, encountering minimal pressure from Saints’ attack, apart from a short period of play when a lapse in concentration resulted in a try for the visitors.

Eds’ number eight James Brough got his side back on the front foot when breaking off from a scrum down the short side to finish well in the corner.

Despite the controlled and disciplined performance, Eds squandered a handful of scoring opportunities towards the end of the half.

Over exuberance from a couple of players when seeing a gap to the try line resulted in overlaps not being utilised and ball being turned over.

With everything going so well for the home side there was temptation to force the issue, which resulted in another soft try for the visitors when a speculative pass was intercepted by the winger who, after running the majority of the length of the pitch, just about had enough pace to finish in the corner.

Eds soon went back to basics and with the set piece working well, the pack were able to give their backs clean ball on the front foot.

The forwards also starting carrying more ball directly at the Saints, substitute prop Michael Bourke and lock Phillip Bower both driving over from short distance for a tries.

Just before the final whistle a well worked team try was finished by winger Adam Walker, who had enough strength and pace to brush off the attempted tackle for his opposite number and emphatically dive over for the final play of the match.

Eds sit second in the table, two points behind leaders Telford with a game in hand and four above third placed Market Drayton, the only team to have beaten them this season, who they visit on Saturday.

THE 2nds were beaten 35-19 at Spartans.

Two early converted tries gave the hosts control but Eds hit back when Sunil finished off a move including Mike Baker, Steve Caldicott, Mike Ceillam and Christian Buncher before adding the conversion.

Spartans regained control though with a pushover try and the conversion made it 21-7 at the break.

Another two converted tries for Spartans made Eds task even more difficult at the start of the second half before Eds stepped up a gear.

They closed the gap when Tom Evans gained possession and sprinted in from distance before Gary Hawkins, back in the squad for the first time in a few months, crossed and Chris Dodd converted.