Ashford RFC Under 13s maintain winning streak
Ashford 22 – Beckenham 5
Beckenham are one of Kent’s stronger rugby clubs. Last Sunday, they anticipated an easy run-out against traditionally weaker East Kent opposition. Beckenham had misread the strength of the local boys as the Ashford Under 13s came into this fixture with the momentum of 8 consecutive wins. With wins against opposition from as far afield as Northamptonshire and Essex, the reputation of the visitors counted for very little. Beckenham won the toss and elected to play with a strong diagonal breeze at their backs. It was the last time the visitors were to be ahead.
From the kick-off, despite playing into the wind, Ashford’s forwards worked collectively to gain the upper hand. With aggressive loose play by recent recruits George Woodrow and Tom Collins, this advantage was turned into territory. After 5 minutes, No. 8 Christopher Albrow broke from the back of a maul and sprinted through the Beckenham defence to score the opening try.
With their noses in front, Ashford maintained their pressure throughout the first half and worked their way up the left touch line. When Ashford knocked-on a metre short of the Beckenham try line, a defensive 5 metre scrum was awarded. Aided by a big shove, hooker George Morgan stole the opposition put-in. Glenn Caton, packing down at No.8 in a tactical switch, instinctively picked-up and dashed around a narrow blind side to score the team’s second try.
Turning round for the second half, Ashford were 10-0 up with the wind behind. This advantage was initially put to good effect when centre Adam Batt broke through the Beckenham defence and presented a scoring pass to winger Luke Chinnery. Now 15-0 up, Ashford lost concentration. The two most aggressive forwards had been tactically substituted and the Ashford pack began to concede territory and possession to the visitors. The ultimate letdown occurred when the Beckenham inside centre ran through from 60 metres to score under the Ashford posts.
Scoring an easy try raised the spirits of the visitors and Ashford failed to respond – despite now having the wind in their favour. Twice Beckenham were held up on the line and on another occasion a Beckenham player was adjudged to have knocked-on just short of the try line. To restore some forward power, Woodrow and Collins were returned to the fray. Ashford recovered sufficiently to create space for centre Batt to burst through the middle and score a try under the posts in the dying minutes. The try was duly converted by full back Daniel Head. Ashford Under 13s emerged worthy winners by 22 points to 5.
Prop Tom Collins was awarded player of the week.
Next Sunday – 13th November – Ashford Under 13s travel away to Old Elthamians.
Beckenham are one of Kent’s stronger rugby clubs. Last Sunday, they anticipated an easy run-out against traditionally weaker East Kent opposition. Beckenham had misread the strength of the local boys as the Ashford Under 13s came into this fixture with the momentum of 8 consecutive wins. With wins against opposition from as far afield as Northamptonshire and Essex, the reputation of the visitors counted for very little. Beckenham won the toss and elected to play with a strong diagonal breeze at their backs. It was the last time the visitors were to be ahead.
From the kick-off, despite playing into the wind, Ashford’s forwards worked collectively to gain the upper hand. With aggressive loose play by recent recruits George Woodrow and Tom Collins, this advantage was turned into territory. After 5 minutes, No. 8 Christopher Albrow broke from the back of a maul and sprinted through the Beckenham defence to score the opening try.
With their noses in front, Ashford maintained their pressure throughout the first half and worked their way up the left touch line. When Ashford knocked-on a metre short of the Beckenham try line, a defensive 5 metre scrum was awarded. Aided by a big shove, hooker George Morgan stole the opposition put-in. Glenn Caton, packing down at No.8 in a tactical switch, instinctively picked-up and dashed around a narrow blind side to score the team’s second try.
Turning round for the second half, Ashford were 10-0 up with the wind behind. This advantage was initially put to good effect when centre Adam Batt broke through the Beckenham defence and presented a scoring pass to winger Luke Chinnery. Now 15-0 up, Ashford lost concentration. The two most aggressive forwards had been tactically substituted and the Ashford pack began to concede territory and possession to the visitors. The ultimate letdown occurred when the Beckenham inside centre ran through from 60 metres to score under the Ashford posts.
Scoring an easy try raised the spirits of the visitors and Ashford failed to respond – despite now having the wind in their favour. Twice Beckenham were held up on the line and on another occasion a Beckenham player was adjudged to have knocked-on just short of the try line. To restore some forward power, Woodrow and Collins were returned to the fray. Ashford recovered sufficiently to create space for centre Batt to burst through the middle and score a try under the posts in the dying minutes. The try was duly converted by full back Daniel Head. Ashford Under 13s emerged worthy winners by 22 points to 5.
Prop Tom Collins was awarded player of the week.
Next Sunday – 13th November – Ashford Under 13s travel away to Old Elthamians.
posted by Ashford RFC Under 14s @ 10:16 am
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