Fleet' maintain winning ways

A nervy start from the Green and Gold allowed the visitors the chance of a penalty with barely a minute on the clock, fortunately it was missed. Like a pair of heavyweight boxers both sides traded some big hits but nothing exciting was coming off until the Fleet forwards opted for a catch and drive from a lineout- the resultant driving maul trundled well into Aldwininan territory. As a number of regular players including the skipper were out on international duty it was stand in skipper Smith who was showing promise with some barnstorming runs supported by his back row colleagues of springbok Taylor and the evergreen Hart. The returning fly half Riches was pulling the strings in midfield and eventually the pressure told with nautical boy JJ crashing across the line to score, conversion added Fleet 7-0. It was the set piece in the scrum where Fleet had the upper hand, Simpkin and Foden were showing promise alongside the returning hooker Larkin. However, in the loose the home side were being regularly penalised for holding on at the breakdown giving away needless penalties. Further continued pressure saw skipper Smith crash over for a try with Riches adding the conversion, 14-0 up. A well worked move between forwards and backs provided Aussie boy Robinson with a try just before the interval, Fleet 21-0 up at half time.

Despite being down Aldwininans were not ready to accept defeat and they kept producing waves of attack, the defence standing firm with some big hits coming in, new nautical boy Watson was prominent as were the colts contingent of Kirton, Heer and Stelfox. Finally the pressure told with the visitors chalking up a try in the corner, Fleet 21-5 up. Just to re-assert their advantage Fleet came up with another try from Smith, with Riches adding the conversion from out wide, 28-5. Replacements were now required as centre Kerr took a blow to his eye and moments later Hart fell awkwardly twisting his knee. Another try from Aldwininans made it 28-10, before Smith added his third try of the day with Riches calmly converting, 33-10 up. By now the opponents were beginning to tire and Fleet wanted more, and from a line out the forwards drove on before Larkin crashed over the whitewash to bag a try, missed conversion 38-10 to Fleet. But, again back came Aldwininans who drove down the middle after a number of missed tackles, extras added in what was the last play of the game, Fleetwood running out 38-17 victors.

Overall, a great result for the second string despite a number of changes to the regular side. The team ground out a pleasing victory for manager Jefferson, who noted the stand out forwards as Watson, Taylor and Larkin. In the backs Riches showed touches of class ably partnered by scrum half Kirton. However, for his all round contribution and industry it was skipper Smith who was named as man of the match. Next week Fleetwood host the Metrovites from Trafford.