The 2nd and 3rd XV didn't have a match which fortunately meant Ashbourne's ranks were bolstered by the likes of Bembridge, Cope, Jones, Hollick and Manley which was handy as Hope-Smith was unable to play due to “an executive virus”. It was always going to handy to have these players should they need them. Unknown to Ashbourne however was that Bloxwich's 1st XV also didn't have a fixture, this meant that Bloxwich's bench was also ample, but what percentage of Bloxwich 1st XV team players actually started against Ashbourne's 4th XV was unknown.

The game got underway and through the early exchanges it was clear to see that the teams were well matched. Neither Ashbourne nor Bloxwich made any major breaks through their backs with both set of forwards trying to stamp their authority on the other. With the ball 30 yards from their line Ashbourne conceded a penalty which was dispatched with ease and familiarity by the Bloxwich fly-half. It was clear to see the Bloxwich pack were an experienced lot and were taking no prisoners, judging by the first couple of exchanges (that had also seen 2 enforced substitutions through injury by Ashbourne) Bloxwich were getting the upper hand- it was time to get the ball out of to the backs. Farr at 10 took the ball and with quick hands fed it to Smith at 12 who duly slipped it to Steve "Flying-Bull" Bembridge who broke the line, Smith carried on in support and following a further exchange of the ball "Flying-Bull" nonchalantly put the ball down to the right of the uprights. Farr slotted the extras.

Ashbourne now knew they could cut through Bloxwich's backs like cheese-wire through a fine stilton, more importantly Bloxwich knew this also, for them to win the match they would have to keep the ball in their forwards and make no mistakes, this is what happened. Bloxwich made Ashbourne pay again through another penalty. Ashbourne couldn't continue like this, they needed to gain parity in the forward battle and therefore forward coach Cope came onto the field. Cope made an instant impact and in the subsequent scrums Ashbourne stayed put on their own ball for the first times in the match. Unfortunately shortly before half time Bloxwich managed to breach Ashbourne's back line for the first time in the match and went over in the corner, the conversion was missed and give or take a few plays the half ended there. It was 11-7 in Bloxwich's favour.

Ashbourne despite being losing at half time and the fact they were playing 16 men knew they were still very much in the game, they knew that when their backs got the ball they could convert possession into points and this is what spurred them on. Ashbourne made changes bringing on Bennett, Manley, Bacon and following a few rousing words from Cope Ashbourne turned to face the second half with confidence.

Unfortunately Ashbourne following the restart had the ball kicked deep into their 22, Manley picked up and when he attempted to clear had his kick charged down by the on rushing backs, they continued to chase the ball on and touched it down behind Ashbourne's line. Bloxwich added the extras. Ashbourne's heads didn't drop as they so easily could have done. They kept at Bloxwich attacking and trying to gain ground at every opportunity, but Boxwich buoyed by their lead, their fortunate try, a large crowd and a friend in green batted away Ashbourne's advances with ease.

The score was 18-7, Ashbourne were in danger of imploding however there was to be another twist. Bennett who had added fire to Ashbourne's ranks at half time was in danger of over heating, with less than 15 to play infuriated by several questionable decisions Bennett was sin-binned for attempting to debate with the referee and other Boxwich players with some industrial language. Bennett turned out to be something of a martyr because with Bennett's departure Ashbourne's focused their frustrations on to winning the match by playing some rugby, rather than with brawling at the breakdown with opponents. Hollick who had been on the receiving end of some rather unsporting comments by an extremely unfriendly crowd silenced the "Shameless" extra's as he danced through Bloxwich's defence to find Manley in support, Manley touched down by the posts, Farr kept his nerve to make the conversion. Bloxwich 18 Ashbourne (down to 14 men) 14, the 4th team sensed Bloxwich were on the ropes.

Ashbourne took the ball from the restart and attacked again this time down the right, the centres found space for Bacon who ran to the corner only to be caught by a despairing Bloxwich full-back, with Bacon heading into touch he saw the advancing Smith and at the last opportunity he put the ball back inside to Smith to run in for the try between the posts. Bloxwich were behind for only the second time in the match and there was minutes left. Needing a try Bloxwich attacked but it was Ashbourne that stood strong now, they sustained and absorbed the despairing Bloxwich. Eventually they turned defence into attack and rounded off the win with a 3rd try in 10 minutes for Ashbourne from Smith.

Overall the difference between the two sides came down to attitude. Ashbourne had suffered several blows throughout the match but never let the heads drop, their guard down or their emotions get the better of them. Bloxwich on the other hand were the complete opposite and on occasion the team and the crowd was a discredit to the fixture and to the game. It will be interesting to see whether this fixture is reciprocated later in the season. The 4th team however remain the only undefeated team in ARUFC's arsenal.