Rugeley seconds showed great team spirit to come back and win from a half time deficit against second placed Wolverhampton. Wolves' strength was in the pack and they used this to good effect in the opening 10 minutes pegging Rugeley back in their own half. Surprisingly and against the run of play a defensive kick was won by Jordan Wood who fed Dan Howe from the Wolverhampton 10 metre to a try in the corner.

Wolverhampton rallied and after Rugeley turned over their own lineout set up a rolling maul to score the equalising points. This was followed up moments later by a converted try under the posts.

Rugeley began to get themselves into the game mainly through the hard dunning of Matt Reynolds, Steve Salter and Scott Johnson. Matthew Keys set up a ruck on the Wolverhampton 5 which saw Martin de Ridder pick up and drive over to get Rugeley back in the game.

Unfortunately the roller coaster ride continued and a Wolverhampton try just before half time saw them lead 17-10 at the break.

Rugeley rang the changes at half time with Joshua Heatherington coming on in the centres. Josh made an impact from the kick off running through the Wolverhampton defence and was unlucky to see a pass go forward and the move break down. Undeterred Rugeley continued to press and an attacking line out saw Matthew Keys feed Heatherington who used his strength to bundle himself over the try line and bring Rugeley back into the match. Matthew Keys kicked the conversion to draw the side’s level only to see Wolverhampton's pack drive the ball down the other end of the pith and put them back into a 22-17 lead.

Rugeley were determined not to lose this game and Martyn Bentley took the ball up the pitch only to be dragged down by Wolverhampton defenders. Thankfully Daniel Howe was there in support to take the ball on the 10 metre and sprint in under the posts. With the conversion taken Rugeley were back in the lead.

Whilst Wolverhampton pressed strong defence from substitutes Jack Richards and James Richer ensured Rugeley's line wasn’t breached.

It looked like it was going to be a nervy last 5 minutes but a long clearing kicks from Matthew Keys led to a conversion. An injury to veteran flanker Steve Kelly
had seen Heatherington take his place in the line. Heatherington ripped the ball from the Wolverhampton jumper and forces his way over to seal a 31-22 victory. The result sees Rugeley retain their lead at the top of Staffordshire Merit League C South.

Man of the Match: Daniel Howe

RUGELEY 1st 15 V St Leonards 1st 33

Rugeley First team once again ended the day as the losers as the visitors took apart the home team with great ease.
Richard Simmons First team Coach when asked replied ” something fundamental needs to change if Rugeley 1st’s have any chance of future success, Rugeley 1st’s are a great team of lads but are being shown up at the moment by the 2nds & 3rds and this needs to stop. A reassessment of the situation with the Club Captain is about to be arranged.”
Rugeley Managed to stem the onslaught from St Leonards when Prop Forward Tom Wilson was able to break away and score under the posts then near the end of the game Club Captain Matt Williscroft was able to sneak a try once again under the posts.
The final result was not deserved as Rugeley have in recent weeks proved that they can play a better game than what was on display on Saturday Afternoon.