Groves has day to remember in landmark game

■ By RORY MORROW

Old Redcliffians….47

Loughborough S…. 19

ASH GROVES marked his 200th National League appearance with a 17-point haul as he helped Old Redcliffians comfortably beat Loughborough.

Old Redcliffians wasted no time in getting going: just two minutes in and they had a first try through hooker Kacey Pike, Groves converting.

Loughborough rallied, summoning up their own seven-pointer through Ben Roberts’ try and Ben Webbs’ conversion.

Then the hosts started to smoothly move through the gears, with Archie Maggs and Pike both forcing their way over before half-time, one conversion from Groves creating a 12-point gap.

Keen to maintain their control on proceedings, Old Redcliffians kept the scoreboard ticking after the break, with Groves adding half-a-dozen more to their tally with two penalties.

On the hour, fullback Will Morris raced in for the bonus-point score, converted by Groves, as Old Redcliffians moved clear.

Despite Roberts registering his second try, Old Redcliffians let Groves add on another three from the tee after replacement Renico Bailey had added a fifth try, easing any nerves.

Louis Callow crossed late on for Loughborough, but Jac Therrien cued Groves to conclude his double-century in characteristically calm style.

REFEREE: Simon Waite

ATTENDANCE: 450

Star player

Ash Groves -Old Redcliffians