Ashford RFC Under 13s Match Report 26th February 2006

Déjà vu strikes as Ashford boys falter in county decider.

Ashford U13s 7 – Blackheath U13s 10
Unbeaten until this encounter, Ashford’s boys had a distinct feeling of déjà vu when running out to face current Kent champions, Blackheath. Having recently won encounters over Medway and Cranbrook, it was quite a shock for the Ashford boys to see several of the star players from those previous opponents turning out for Blackheath. According to the management of one of their former clubs, the boys concerned believe joining Blackheath youth’s section is a passport to Kent selection and greater things beyond.

Ignoring the illustrious provenance of their opponents, Ashford immediately went on the attack. When Blackheath knocked–on, Ashford No. 8 Christopher Albrow picked up from the resulting scrum and galloped 50 metres upfield and was hauled down just 5 metres short of the Blackheath try line. What followed was 10 minutes of sustained Ashford pressure. Blackheath were penalised at a lineout and Ashford tapped and ran. With the ball held-up on the try line, Blackheath again offended. Ashford tapped again and again the ball was held-up. Eventually, Blackheath broke out from defence. Wing forward Glenn Caton and scrum half Luke Ransley both left the field due to injury. Eventually the reorganised defence missed a crucial tackle and the Blackheath No.8 broke through to score a try on 22 minutes.

Despite being the dominant side for most of the first half, Ashford found themselves down 5 points to nil at half time.

The second half was as tense as the first and Ashford’s forwards again led the offensive. Several times Ashford went close to scoring, only for the ball to be turned over to the Blackheath backs who would break out of defence.

On 32 minutes Ashford’s pressure finally paid off. Blackheath called a 3 man line out on the half way line. The ball bobbled loose and tighthead prop Billy Stevens powered through the Blackheath defence from 50 metres out to touch down under the posts. The try was duly converted by winger Luke Chinnery, giving Ashford a 7 points to 5 lead.

Having taken the lead, a loss of concentration forced Ashford back on the defensive. The defence initially held out. But on 13 minutes two missed tackles saw the Blackheath outside centre score out wide. The conversion was missed and Ashford had 12 minutes to close the 3 point gap. Ashford continued to pressure the Blackheath line with wing forward Rory Beech and No.8 Albrow both going close to scoring. With the clock running down, Ashford drove to within 2 metres of the Blackheath try line before time expired.

In summary, this was a tremendous all round team performance. With players from the starting line-up and replacements all putting in a fantastic effort. Blackheath justified their narrow win. But the Ashford boys are ready for the rematch.

Player of the week was prop forward Billy Stevens.

Ashford Boys Seal 20th Successive Win

Ashford RFC Under 13s Match Report 19th February 2006

Dover U13s 0 – Ashford U13s 46
This was second time this season that the Ashford U13s had faced Dover. First time around Ashford scored an easy 65-0 home win. This time, for the away fixture, an experimental starting line up was selected and captained by lock Tom Healy. To give the newer boys more game time, several of Ashford’s more experienced players were stationed on the replacements bench.

Since the last encounter Dover had beefed up their forward pack. Rain and a heavy home pitch should have given them an advantage over Ashford’s lighter forwards. However, aggressive tackling meant that Ashford managed to edge the early close quarter exchanges and forced the play into Dover’s half. When, on 3 minutes, the ball went wide down the left, centre Gareth Jenner stepped outside his opposite number and arced around the defensive cover to touch down near the posts.

Five minutes later, from a midfield scrum, Ashford again moved the ball wide, this time to the right. Inside centre Grant Noremac broke through two attempted tackles to touch down close to the corner flag. Ashford’s territorial pressure was maintained throughout the first half and lock George Woodrow and Gareth Jenner added further tries. The half time score was 22 points to nil.

For the second half, Ashford introduced their more experienced players. Within two minutes of the restart, tighthead prop Billy Stevens gathered a loose ball and sprinted from half way to dot down under the posts. Just three minutes later, not to be outshone by a prop, stand-in fly half Adam Batt, spotted a gap in the Dover defence and also sprinted upfield to touch down from 50 metres.

As the rain became heavier, Ashford forced Dover deeper into their defensive 22 metre area. Only a slippery ball and inaccurate passing kept the score from progessing. Eventually, the pressure told on 38 minutes when Jenner again powered through the Dover defence to seal his personal hatrick of tries. And on 49 minutes Ashford’s forwards secured an opposition lineout throw. Adam Batt, who’d reverted to centre, scampered around the blindside and touched down in the corner to score the final points of the match.

Two conversions were kicked by Luke Chinnery and one by Harry Atkins. Player of the week was wing forward Glenn Caton.

With a season to date record of 20 successive wins and 830 points for to just 69 against, Ashford host Kent joint champions Blackheath next Sunday. This encounter will be the acid test of the Ashford boys’ progress.

Match Report 5th February 2006

South Woodham Ferrers U13s 0 – Ashford U13s 15
Ashford travelled to Essex short of 4 of the regular starting 15. After just 3 minutes of play vigorous Essex footwork had despatched both Ashford halfbacks to the treatment room. An extremely precise referee also ensured there was little flow to the match. Ashford struggled to generate any momentum against a constantly blowing whistle. However the team had come to Essex to learn from the unfamiliar conditions.

Eventually Ashford pressure told when Chris Albrow caught a lineout and dived over from 5 metres. The lineout throw was ruled not straight and from the resulting scrum Woodham only cleared to the 5 metre line. Still penned close to their goal line Woodham eventually conceded a scrum. From this No.8 Albrow picked up and dived over to open the scoring on 15 minutes.

With a 5 point lead Ashford began to dominate open play. However the keen-eyed referee still ensured the match was punctuated by regular stoppages and refused to play advantage. Eventually, prop Billy Stevens powered his way 30 metres upfield and passed to centre Adam Batt, who outpaced the defence to score in the corner.

With a 10 points to nil lead Ashford started the second half well but struggled to win the ball in either scrum or lineout. However their loose play showed no let-up. Aggressive play by the second row pairing of Tom Healy and George Woodrow and prop Stevens ensured territorial dominance.

On 36 minutes Ashford won a scrum on the half way. The ball was worked wide and centre Grant Noremac charged over from 30 metres out. From this point, leading 15-0, Ashford were afflicted by a series of adverse penalty decisions.

Despite being forced on the defensive by a big kicking fly half the Ashford boys tackled well and ensured another clean sheet and their 19th win in succession.
Player of the week was Cameron Veitch. This Saturday (11th February), the team’s parents have organised a fund-raising night at the Nelson Public House in Stanhope Road.