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Old Hales storm on
Old Halesonians started 2008 with a bang in this emphatic victory over Shropshire-based Bishops Castle.
Hales began the game with two quick-fire tries inside seven minutes, both scored by flanker Alan Hubbleday, indicating what was to be a significant imbalance between the opposing packs. Throughout the game, Hales displayed a characteristic brand of high-tempo rugby, breathe taking at times.
Tim Curtis finished in style after the Steve Gollins had made a half-break after 10 minutes. Hubbleday completed a personal 12-minute hat-trick on 17 minutes when, receiving the ball on half-way he beat three covering defenders to score under the posts.
A scrum in the Castle 22 metre area, allowed Hales to break down the blind-side, Gollins offloading to Chris Wagstaff, who stepped inside crashed over to score. Wakefield's conversion was his fourth and final of an uncharacteristic off day with the boot. This gave Hales a 33-0 half time lead.
After a slow start in the second half Hales rallied again scoring 42 unanswered points in the final 24 minutes. The first score after half time came from prolific wing Alex Church, despite being limited by space he beat two defenders to bulldoze over in the corner from 10 metres out. Another score was added by flanker Jon Tideswell, just two minutes later.
From the restart, Tideswell caught the ball.It was then shifted wide through each pair of the back's hands, finally returning to Tideswell, who sped over for the try.
Tom Harris added his own score.
Church added his second and third tries in the 67th and 73 minutes respectively.
Harris, added another score as well kicking the conversion.
A break from loose play from Gollins saw him put Wagstaff into space on half-way with one defender to beat, which he did with ease, elatedly sliding through the mud under the posts, to cap off a resounding victory for the league leaders.
On Saturday, Hales travel east for a tough encounter with Northampton Old Scouts in the National EDF Senior Vase.
10:32am Thursday 10th January 2008
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