OLD Halesonians claimed a bonus point win with a 32-15 away win against Burton last Saturday

Hales travelled to bottom side Burton hoping for a convincing win to push for a top three league position.

Burton had other ideas from the kick off and the muddy pitch conditions were not conducive to open running rugby.

After 14 minutes Hales infringed in kicking range and the home side took the lead. Hales could not find their rhythm and put little phase play together as practised in the week.

It took 30 minutes for Hales to take control, Hooper supporting brothers Carl and Andy Robinson in the centres for a break and try which he converted.

Hales started to put some plays together with back row Tom Jordan. Nigel Burrows and Jay Martin leading the way. Scrum Half Nathan Jones and Matt Williams outside provided good ball but Burton were able to contain the attacks.

On 23 minutes, the visiting pack took possession the the Burton half way, Jones fed to Carl Robinson who passed to Hooper who again found a gap to give to wing Luke Smith for a great try, converted by Hooper to make it 14-3.

The rest of the half saw chances go missing but still phases were not carried out by the visitors.

The second half saw a bit more effort by Hales to take control in attack with Tom Dempsey, Martin and Jordan making the hard yards. Pressure forced Burton to infringe, penalty converted by Hooper.

From the kick off Hales again drove forward with the Robinsons and replacement wing Paddy Luftkin penetrating in the backs. On 54 minutes the ball was moved from the breakdown to Williams to Jordan who sprinted through a gap in the opposition backs to score a well worked try.

Hales continued with the pressure and after 70mins forwards and backs combined well, Nathan Jones took the initiative and sprinted through a gap to score an individual try to make it 27-3.

Burton came back and despite continuous heroic defence by the visitors they scored a well deserved converted try. Six minutes later Hales again gained possession from the restart.

Hooper, standing in at scrum half for injured Jones, fed the backs, debutant wing Paddy Luftkin who gathered the ball. He took on the opposition, kept his feet and evaded tacklers to score a try to lead 10 - 32.

Although the visitors were strong they still were not in commanding position. On the 80th minute Burton again came back and with a lapse in defence Hales allowed a final try by the home side.

Team manager Simon Hussey said: "Not great conditions for rugby but we were not dominant enough in areas of play. Our defence was strong but we need to be doing more with options in attack."

This Saturday Old Halesonians play Newport (Salop) at home in the semi final of the North Midlands Cup.