Northampton Tour 17th/18th September 2005

Northampton visit leads to meeting with World Cup winner

Last weekend represented the first ever occasion when Ashford’s Under 13 boys would be playing 15 aside rugby on a full-size pitch. To prepare for the youth version of the game, the Ashford team started their season with a tour to Northampton. The midlands town is, of course, home to premiership side Northampton Saints. Over the weekend the boys the boys attended the Saints versus Newcastle premiership match and played matches against local junior clubs Northampton Old Scouts and Wellingborough.

Whilst at the Franklins Gardens ground, the boys had the opportunity to meet some of the international stars of rugby. These included Sean Lamont and Tom Smith of Scotland, Ben Cohen of England and Carlos Spencer of the New Zealand All Blacks. Pick of the rugby stars on show though was England and British Lions hooker Steve Thompson. Despite sustaining a torn neck muscle, World cup winner Thompson found time to meet all the boys, pose for a team photograph and sign autographs for boys and parents alike.

In their matches against local opposition the Ashford boys produced two wins.

Northampton Old Scouts 5 – Ashford 22
In Saturday’s match Ashford started confidently despite the step up in pitch size. After 3 minutes they went ahead when the ball was passed wide and winger Luke Chinnery ran in for a try from 45 metres. Ashford then scored tries by centre Grant Noremac and prop Billy Stevens before the Old Scouts scored a try from a tap penalty. In the closing stages, Chinnery again out sprinted the opposition to score a try under the posts. A conversion was also scored by Louis Burdon.

Wellingborough 5 – Ashford 39
On the Sunday, Ashford faced Wellingborough. The run out the day before showed no ill effects as the team played sufficiently well to score seven tries and two conversions against a single try. In a rough but well tempered match the Ashford forwards asserted their dominance to produce both an ample supply of ball and territory. Winger Harry Atkins opened the scoring with a try out wide. This was then followed by tries from prop Patrick MacEnri, No. 8 Christopher Albrow (two tries), prop Billy Stevens, centre Grant Noremac and hooker George Sladden. Burdon kicked two conversions.