ATHERSTONE RFC FIRST XV 40 BIRMINGHAM EXILES 0

WITH five league fixtures remaining, Atherstone's bonus point win over Birmingham Exiles puts them nine points clear of their nearest rivals Alcester and within six points of sixth-place Harbury.

Exiles had no response to the power of the home side's forwards or the pace of the backs.

Determined and resolute tackling ensured Atherstone's defence held firm, offering no scoring opportunity for their opponents.

Early infringements from the Exiles provided kicking opportunities for Andy Redman who slotted over two penalties in quick succession.

The home side dominated territory and possession, continually pushing towards the try line, forcing Exiles to defend.

A succession of scrummages on the visitors' 5m line saw the two packs vie for supremacy with the home side making it difficult for Exiles to clear the ball.

At the third scrum, which Exiles put in, the ball bobbled out into the score zone with Redman in pursuit.

The Exiles defender managed to beat him to the ball but sliced the clearance kick under the pressure.

Watchful Danny Cooke saw the opportunity to score possibly the easiest try of his career and raced to the line to touch down for an unconverted try.

Atherstone's second try came from a superb passage of play with Cooke starting the move, off-loading to Rhodri Davies.

Davies got his pass out to Daniel King who fed John Ley on the wing and he dodged his way through the defenders to ground the ball.

James Bagnall added the extras to take the half time score to 18-0.

In the second half the forwards continued to grind down their counterparts, pushing them backwards in the scrums and using the rolling maul with great effect to make ground.

The home side's third try came from the forwards with first James Redman then Dean Merrick picking up from the back of the ruck and driving forward.

Tom Aherne continued to impress as he used his strength to break through the defence with Simon Moore on hand to take the ball over the line. Redman added the extras.

A line-out on Exiles' 10m line provided the platform for the bonus point try with Bob Greenway taking the ball cleanly.

The forwards went into action driving towards the line with Dean Merrick carrying the ball over for an unconverted try.

Moore added a second try to his tally with a superb run through the defence for one and by controlling the ball at number eight for a pushover try for the other.

Atherstone have a break from league matches now until February 18 when they travel away to Birmingham CS.