Rugeley welcomed from Worcestershire Tenbury RFC
Hagley fields that once again turn out to be a thoughraly great game of rugby
Both teams were very well matched in ability and discipline.
Rugeley at times fell foul to the technique and speed of the visitors allowing them to score a try right under the posts, and with the conversion was able to forge a lead of 7 point very early in the game.
Rugeley were with great ease and ability able to hold back the possible onslaught from the visitors with brilliant defending from the home team.
But Rugeley were to be dealt a bitter blow when Prop Forwards tom Wilson was carried off after just 11 minutes with an ankle injury.
His replacement Kirk Jones found it easy to step into Wilson’s boots.
39 minutes into the game Rugeley were able to gain the advantage and score a penalty bringing the score to 3 -7 to the visitors.
Rugeley continued to dominate the game with strong and sturdy forward play by Dave Black & Carl Johnson enabling Rugeley to control the speed and style of play
With only seconds to play in the first Period the visitors looked as if the constant battering from the home team was taking its toll and they started to make fundamental mistakes in their own 10 metre line, and the constant battering from Rugeley enable the home team to score a penalty once again under the posts.
Bringing the score to a very reasonable 7 – 6 to the visitors at the interval.
In the second period the visitors came out fighting and Rugeley allowed them to once again take control bringing the score to 12 – 6 to the away team.
Rugeley once again came back fighting and with a combination of Cei Griffin, Sam Howard & Jake Graham the visitors were unable to penetrate the home team’s defence.
The game continues with the ferocity of both teams and both teams were able to hold each other back.
Once again Rugeley were able to dominate and with Tenbury’s tiring forwards and lack of disapline Rugeley were able to score a 3rd penalty under the opposition’s posts.
With the score at a very respectable 12 – 9 Rugeley looked as if they we once again about to snatch a well-deserved win against the visiting team.
But with time quickly running out the visitors stepped up play although Rugeley absorbed the come back from the visitors and were able to hold back the constant battering from Tenbury.
Late in to the second period the home team conceded a penalty bringing the score to 15 – 9 with only 12 minutes left to play.
Rugeley came back at like a lion out of a cage and the visitors could not hold them down causing the visitors to buckle under the pressure, They conceded a penalty deep into the visitor’s field of play.
But Rugeley were unable to convert the kick, and with time running very short the Tenbury Pack made one last roar for the try line, with luck on their side they were able to score the try and convert bringing the final result to 22 – 9 sending the visiting team back to Worcestershire the winners.

When asked the club president Mr Carl Johnson said “The boys all played like Trojans and it is such a disappointment not to have won “

This Saturday 19th Rugeley are away at Barton under Needwood , all player are requested where possible to wear club shirt and or ties , see the clubs website for further details.

Report and Pictures by John parkes.