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.