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League leaders Old Halesonians saw off their nearest promotion rivals in emphatic fashion on Saturday at Wassell Grove. Despite this, Hales had to work hard for their victory in front of a large crowd.

From the kick-off the game lived up to its hype with both sides playing some exciting running rugby.

After ten minutes from a line-out just outside the Bournville 22', the hosts' Charlie Lowe took good clean ball, and the forwards piled in, powering towards the try line. The maul was taken over the line and grounded by Stuart Homer. Fly-half Ben Smith missed the difficult touchline conversion.

Bournville responded immediately with a spirited attack, but Hales soaked up the pressure for a number of minutes, until giving away a kickable penalty, which was missed by Bournville fly half Matt Mountford.

Seven minutes before the break Hales gave away another penalty within kicking range, this time for handling in a ruck. Mountford was successful with his kick, closing the gap to two points.

The second half saw Hales continue to exploit the visitors line out and scrum ball and this paid dividends in the 53rd minute when they pressured Bournville into conceding a number of penalties at the breakdown. Captain Seb Rose opted to kick for the corner. From the ensuing line out Hales relentlessly attacked through their lighter but more effective pack. The forwards carried one after another making mere inches at a time, orchestrated by their vocal scrum half Chris Wagstaff. Finally, Thomas Dempsey powered over to score another unconverted try.

The home side were not going to give up on a successful tactic, or allow the speedy Bournville backline any ball in space. Therefore, the forwards continued their war of attrition once the kicking combination of Matt Wagstaff and Smith had given them good field position. A final try came for Hales through another driven line out deep in Bournville territory, Alan Hubbleday grounding the ball. This time Neil Weston took the ball, but deftly moved the ball away from the waiting defence. From the change in angle Hales were able to gain momentum and crashed over for a converted try.

Hales now sit six points clear at the top of the table with five games to play.

3:31pm Thursday 21st February 2008

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