Rugeley get off to a winning start at Exiles

Rugeley travelled to Birmingham Exiles for the first ever league fixture between the two clubs.

The sun was shining and the Exiles big wide pitch looked immaculate.

Rugeley were able to field a strong team with Tom Foxall and Mitch Everall returning to action for the first time this season

It was the home side who started the stronger a well worked backs move from the kick off took them into the Rugeley 22.

Somewhat against the run of play Jordan Wood broke through the Exiles defence of the back of the scrum to feed David Bagnall who was able to score under the posts. He converted his own kick and Rugeley went 7 up.

Exiles seemed undeterred. Their line out was functioning well and some good hands saw their centre through in space to score a converted try which levelled the score.

Rugeley attacked from the kick off only to be dispossessed immediately and for Exiles to kick long into the Rugeley half. Unfortunately for them the kick was fielded by Tom Foxall who ran the length of the pitch to score.

Notwithstanding the fact that this was probably against the run of play and that there was only one try between the teams this try seemed to break the Exiles spirit and Rugeley scored immediately from the kick off with a well fielded catch from Chris Dynda and a powerful run from Jordan Wood to feed the galloping skipper Luke Pagett.

In the firing moments of the first half Michael Wilkes got in on the action with a try meaning the bonus point was secured within the first 40 minutes.

The half time break slowed Rugeley down somewhat. After a few chances went begging with forward passes and knock one it was Jordan Wood who broke through and seal the match.

Two further tries followed for Pagett and Player coach Matthew Williscroft. Exiles scored a late consolation after a missed pass bounced into their hands in the Rugeley 22 in the final minute of the match.

Captain Luke Pagett said “Great game today . Well done to everyone who put on a shirt today and gave it there all. It was good to welcome the Birmingham Exiles to the league.”

The Rugeley Man of the Match was Jordan Wood.

Rugeley Squad:
1 Carl Johnson (Kirk Jones)
2 Andrew Miles,
3 Adam Slater
4 Chris Dynda,
5 Sam Spink (Mitch Everall),
6 Ryan Salt,
7 Matt Williscroft,
8 Jordan Wood,
9 Chip Richards,
10 Jamie Simmons (Nick Lyons),
11 Lewis Aston,
12 Luke Pagett,
13 Michael Wilkes,
14 Tom Foxall
15 David Bagnall