Rugeley 43- Bloxwich 5

Rugeley’s early season form had dipped in the pre-Christmas period with a defeat and a draw causing them to surrender their table topping position by a point to a resurgent Willenhall.

The home game against Bloxwich afforded an opportunity to re-set and hopefully get back to winning ways.

Bloxwich came as ever with a tough scrummaging pack and a robust defence.

Rugeley started strongly, Stephen Bailey was able to shrug off two Bloxwich defenders and power through the gap to score under the posts. David Bagnall converted and Rugeley had 7 points on the board.

It was quickly followed by the second try of the afternoon with the Flanker Nathan Honet jinking into space to score in the corner. Another Bagnall conversion saw the lead grow to 14-0.

Bloxwich were not letting a rugeley have it all their own way and snatched a try back which was unconverted and saw the half time score at 14-5.

The result was in the balance but Rugeley started the second half as strongly as they did the first. Two quick tries including the first of the day from Jordan Wood plying out of position at centre and a second from Nathan Homer powering over from short range broke the back of Bloxwich’s resistance and the try scoring bonus point.

It was the last contribution from Homer who cut his eyelid in an accidental head clash with his opposite number. An early shower and a trip to A&E for stitches followed.

Further tries followed for Matt Joss and Jordan Wood leaving Rugeley 43-5 winners.

Rugeley travel to Clee Hill next week in a tough match against the league’s third place team.

Rugeley’s 2nd XV suffered a narrow home defeat to Leek with tries from Liam Morrison and Harry Dawson.