Ashford revival topples Kent champions
Ashford RFC Under 13s Match Report 16th October 2005
Cranbrook 10 – Ashford 19
This match, away to the Kent champions in this age group, was originally scheduled as a home fixture. After 10 minutes of play Ashford were losing 10-0. Cranbrook dominated the early exchanges as their more mobile forwards outmanoeuvred Ashford’s uncharacteristically lethargic pack. 3 scrums were lost against the head and the Ashford forwards were repeatedly driven back in the rucks and mauls. Only last ditch tackling by Ashford’s back division kept the score to a manageable deficit. It was if the Ashford players had left their concentration elsewhere.
Just before half time Ashford’s game finally acquired some urgency. Ashford made a rare foray into the Cranbrook “22” and No. 8 Christopher Albrow broke from a scrum to score under the posts. The try was converted by winger Harry Atkins and Ashford turned round just 10-7 behind.
The converted try had raised the spirits of the Ashford boys and the forwards entered the second half in a vastly more determined mood. From the restart, Ashford gained possession and a well-worked passing movement saw winger Cameron Veitch make a break before being hauled down 10 metres short of the try line. Ashford were rewarded with a scrum and following a series of rucks, lock George Morgan crashed over the try line to put Ashford into the lead. Converted by Atkins, the score created a 4 point cushion.
Cranbrook, struggling to cope with the Ashford revival, spent most of the second half on the defensive. Frustrated by lack of progress, Cranbrook conceded a series of crucial penalties. Kicking intelligently, Ashford used these as an opportunity to pen Cranbrook into the corner of their defensive “22”. Eventually the Ashford pressure told when lock Lukas Warrilow stole an opposition lineout throw. Warrilow fed prop Billy Stevens who drove to within 5 metres of the Cranbrook line. Held-up, Stevens offloaded to the supporting Albrow who dived over to open up a 19-10 lead.
Ashford gathered the restart, drove upfield and gained another penalty. With time expired, Ashford kicked the ball into touch to end the match. Ashford’s sixth consecutive victory of the season had been achieved, a significant win over the reigning Kent champions.
Ashford’s Player of the Week was Vice Captain Christopher Albrow.
Next Sunday – 23rd October – Ashford Under 13s play Dover at home.
This match, away to the Kent champions in this age group, was originally scheduled as a home fixture. After 10 minutes of play Ashford were losing 10-0. Cranbrook dominated the early exchanges as their more mobile forwards outmanoeuvred Ashford’s uncharacteristically lethargic pack. 3 scrums were lost against the head and the Ashford forwards were repeatedly driven back in the rucks and mauls. Only last ditch tackling by Ashford’s back division kept the score to a manageable deficit. It was if the Ashford players had left their concentration elsewhere.
Just before half time Ashford’s game finally acquired some urgency. Ashford made a rare foray into the Cranbrook “22” and No. 8 Christopher Albrow broke from a scrum to score under the posts. The try was converted by winger Harry Atkins and Ashford turned round just 10-7 behind.
The converted try had raised the spirits of the Ashford boys and the forwards entered the second half in a vastly more determined mood. From the restart, Ashford gained possession and a well-worked passing movement saw winger Cameron Veitch make a break before being hauled down 10 metres short of the try line. Ashford were rewarded with a scrum and following a series of rucks, lock George Morgan crashed over the try line to put Ashford into the lead. Converted by Atkins, the score created a 4 point cushion.
Cranbrook, struggling to cope with the Ashford revival, spent most of the second half on the defensive. Frustrated by lack of progress, Cranbrook conceded a series of crucial penalties. Kicking intelligently, Ashford used these as an opportunity to pen Cranbrook into the corner of their defensive “22”. Eventually the Ashford pressure told when lock Lukas Warrilow stole an opposition lineout throw. Warrilow fed prop Billy Stevens who drove to within 5 metres of the Cranbrook line. Held-up, Stevens offloaded to the supporting Albrow who dived over to open up a 19-10 lead.
Ashford gathered the restart, drove upfield and gained another penalty. With time expired, Ashford kicked the ball into touch to end the match. Ashford’s sixth consecutive victory of the season had been achieved, a significant win over the reigning Kent champions.
Ashford’s Player of the Week was Vice Captain Christopher Albrow.
Next Sunday – 23rd October – Ashford Under 13s play Dover at home.
posted by Ashford RFC Under 14s @ 11:24 am
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