Ashford RFC U14s Vs. Aylesford 1st October 2006

Aylesford 5 – Ashford Under 14s 34

Ashford recorded their fourth victory of the season when Whitstable conceded their East Kent cup tie on Friday evening. However, a walkover wasn’t the sort of win that the Ashford Under 14s were looking for and Aylesford duly obliged by agreeing to host a friendly at short notice.

Ashford travelled up the M20 without their two biggest forwards and fielded a revised backline as their two regular scrum halves were unavailable through injury.

Ashford received the kick off with the wind, rain and slope against them. Despite the elements, Ashford began to dominate territorially and after 8 minutes centre Gareth Jenner burst onto a well timed pass and powered through the Aylesford defence for the opening try.

Against the run of play Aylesford scored a try on 13 minutes. The half time score was 5 points all.

Ashford turned round with the elements in their favour and proceeded to play their best half of rugby this season. From the kick off Ashford immediately pressured the Aylesford line. At a short line out No. 8 Christopher Albrow was held up and open side wing forward Glenn Caton picked up the ruck ball and dived over to score the opening try of the second half after 2 minutes.

From the restart Ashford gathered the ball and a drive upfield from the forwards immediately put Aylesford on the back foot. Camping in the opposition half, Ashford won a scrum and fly half Harry Atkins probed right before changing direction. A sweeping movement down the left outflanked the covering defence and winger Grant Noremac charged 30 metres to touch down.

With a 10 point margin Ashford used their passing game to maximum effect as their smaller but more mobile forward pack outmanoeuvred their larger opponents. Quick ruck ball saw outside centre Adam Batt go over in the left corner for a try converted by fly half Harry Atkins on 36 minutes. Then inside centre Gareth Jenner powered over just two minutes later.

The coup de grace came on 43 minutes when fly half Atkins probed right before sending the ball left. Winger Noremac and prop Tom Collins combined to keep the ball alive before the ball was moved to the left. A move involving 12 was concluded when No.8 Albrow was held up 2 metres short and the recycled ball was popped up for outside centre Batt to dot down.

Aylesford were excellent hosts and the Ashford team received complimentary credit from Fijian coach and first team player Api Kata. Player of the week was scrum half Louis Burdon. Next Sunday (8^th October) Ashford Under 14s entertain Tonbridge Juddians.