Ashford U14s vs. Cranbrook 26th November 2006

Cranbrook 0 – Ashford 38

Ashford were originally scheduled to travel to Essex but suffered another cancellation. Instead a late fixture was arranged away to neighbours Cranbrook. Due to the short notice, the match took place on the sloping pitch of Cranbrook school. Ashford lost the toss and were forced to play the first half up the slope and into a gusting wind.

The Ashford team adapted their tactics to the conditions, playing a short passing game and keeping the ball tight to the set pieces. They were rewarded with a try on 8 minutes when scrum half Rory Beech broke down the blindside of a scrum and sent winger Grant Noremac over by the corner flag. Ashford caught the restart and immediately drove back uphill. Although possession was lost the Cranbrook defence spilled the ball and no.8 Chris Albrow picked up and charged over to touch down under the posts.

For the remainder of the half Ashford continued to pressure the Cranbrook line. Eventually centre Gareth Jenner barged his way over the line on 20 minutes to make it three tries. With two of the three tries converted, Ashford reached half time 19-0 up.

Turning round, Ashford immediately used the wind and slope to pin Cranbrook in their own half. On 4 minutes lock George Woodrow ripped the ball from a maul and galloped over from 30 metres to touch down under the posts.

Ashford caught the restart and immediately went back onto the attack. From a lineout on the 22 metre line no.8 Albrow caught the ball and side stepped through the defence to score his second try of the match.

At this point Ashford reorganised their resources in the forward pack and this allowed the bigger Cranbrook forwards to force their way into the game. They also conceded a series of 5 metre penalties which gave Cranbrook 5 minutes of pressuring the Ashford line. Only two top class tackles from player of the week, prop Tom Collins kept the score sheet clean. Ashford eventually relieved the pressure on 18 minutes with a long clearance kick. The Cranbrook defence knocked on and from the resulting scrum winger Grant Noremac scored his second and Ashford’s sixth try of the day.

Fly half Louis Burdon scored 8 points from 4 conversions.

Next week, Ashford Under 14s host Maidstone.

Ashford RFC U14s vs. Dover 19th November 06

Ashford 53 – Dover 0

As Ashford were not anticipating a strong challenge from Dover, the opportunity was taken to field an experimental line up and provide some of the squad’s less experienced players with a full run out.

Ashford opened the try scoring after 25 seconds when wing forward Grant Noremac collected the kick off and galloped 70 metres upfield to touch down under the posts. Two minutes later centre Gareth Jenner burst through the Dover defence and added a second try. On 12 minutes a third try was scored when Chris Albrow, playing at full back, fielded a long kick and ran through the Dover defence. Further first half scores were added by second tries from Noremac and Albrow and a first try from wing forward Tom Healy.

Half time score Ashford 36 – Dover 0.

Ashford reshuffled their team for the second half, providing debut appearances for props Ben Young and Curtis Watts. The changes didn’t slow Ashford’s momentum as they immediately swept upfield from the restart and winger Jason Tong raced in to score his first ever try for the club. This was followed 10 minutes later by a second try from Gareth Jenner. In the 19^th minute of the second half, the ball was spun wide and left winger Cameron Veitch was held up just short of the try line. The forward packed recycled the ball and lock Charlie Williams dived over for a converted try. This score concluded the match giving Ashford a 53 points to nil win.

Fly half Harry Atkins scored 8 points from 4 conversions. Player of the week was Jason Tong.

Next week, Ashford Under 14s travel to Essex side South Woodham Ferrers.

Ashford RFC U14s Vs. Romford 12th November 06

Ashford 19 – Romford 20

On Sunday Ashford entertained Essex champions Romford. A side featuring 11 players from the Essex county squad. Ashford themselves have 9 players in the final Kent trial on 3^rd January, so were undeterred by their illustrious visitors.

From the kick off Ashford immediately applied pressure to the Romford line. On 7 minutes a back row move involving scrum half Rory Beech saw No.8 Chris Albrow ground the ball under the posts, only for the “try” to be disallowed for a forward pass. Ashford remained camped in the Romford “22” until a breakout on 12 minutes saw Ashford miscue a defensive kick and the Romford backline combined to score the match’s opening try.

Ashford went back on the offensive and again drove deep into Romford territory. On 18 minutes Romford relieved the pressure by kicking long and Ashford lost possession running from defence. Again the error was punished and Romford took a 10 point lead.

Undeterred, the Ashford pack with prop Danny Herriot and flanker Glen Caton to the fore, drove back into Romford territory. Eventually, on 22 minutes, Albrow broke from the scrum and scored Ashford’s opening try. Two minutes later Albrow again grounded the ball under the posts but an unsighted referee was unable to award the score.

Half time score Ashford 5 – Romford 10

Ashford fumbled the kick off and found themselves immediately under pressure. Defending their try line they rucked over the ball only to see a Romford player pick up and dive over for the opening score of the half.

From the restart Ashford again drove into Romford territory. However, lax defending was again punished when a fourth try was conceded 15 minutes into the half. Despite the score, the match was far from over and Ashford reintroduced some of their more experienced forwards to attempt to force a result. The substitutions paid off as pressure finally turned into points.

18 minutes into the half Albrow forced his way through 3 defenders to touch down. And 5 minutes later centre Gareth Jenner charged over. With both tries converted by winger Harry Atkins, the deficit was now just 1 point.

With time running down Ashford drove back into the Romford half. Romford were penalised and Ashford had the opportunity to win the match with a final penalty kick. Unfortunately the attempt went wide and the Essex visitors had escaped with the narrowest of victories. All in all, a good all round performance. However, given the territorial dominance of the forwards this was a match that should have been won. The defensive frailties of the side need addressing.