Goggles hatrick puts Essington to the sword

Essington have had the upper hand in recent encounters between the sides. Last season saw Essington win both league matches.

This was Rugeley's first competitive match of the season following a successful series of friendly victories.

Essington started brightly and looked to in Rugeley in their own half with moving the ball slowly from maul to ruck and gaining superiority in the scrum. So far this season it was Rugeey's counter attacking which has got them out of trouble and again it proved when a quick turnover saw Michael Wilkes in space to continue his red hot form. Matthew keys converted and Rugeley were motoring.

A good kick off response saw Rugeley slot over a penalty and begin to put some daylight in between the two sides. Essington fought back and score a try of their own after another passage of forward play.

Rugeley were undeterred and Joe Payne scored a try to stretch the lead again.

Half time saw Rugeley lead 15-5. Rugeley started the second half well with Matthew Williscroft and Nathan Homer looking sharp in the loose. Keys was having his best game of the season and the centre partnership of Matt Joss and Joe Payne were creating holes for the speedy Wilkes to break through and bag another try.

A period of scrapy play followed and both sides had a player sent to the sin bin with Rugeley having a second sent their 10 minutes later.

Essington looked like they may rally for a bonus point when a later try brought the score to 26-10. Essington camped on the Rugeley line but a penalty and a well worked line out saw Payne, Cei Griffin and Wilkes combine with Wilkes dotting down between the posts and seal a hatrick and a Rugeley victory.

Rugeley's second team who were playing Essington 2s in the merit league also triumphed, winning 58-3 with tries from Tome Wilson (2) Tom Parkes (2), David Bagnall, Barrie Newton and Martin Grocott.

This coming weekend sees Rugeley travel to Kersley in the national cup, with the 2nds at home vs Newcastle 3s and the under 14s at home to Telford. Training continues on Wednesday at 7pm.