Ashford RFC U14s vs. Hastings 14th January 07

Ashford 54 – Hastings 0

Ashford Under 14s faced a Hastings side top of their Sussex league and featuring 4 Sussex county squad players. Hastings fielded a big pack by Under 14 standards. Ashford’s game plan was to use their superiority in ball handling, mobility and quick recycling at the breakdown to outmanoeuvre their bigger opponents.

From the kick off Ashford immediately broke through the Hastings defensive screen and centre Gareth Jenner was held just 10 metres short. Hastings attacked from the resulting scrum and advanced 30 metres upfield before a tackle halted the attack. At the tackle Ashford turned over possession and quick passing saw centre Adam Batt open up space for winger Grant Noremac. Noremac stormed over to score the first try after just 4 minutes of play. This score was followed by a converted try from centre Batt just two minutes later.

Following the two early scores, Ashford piled on the first half pressure, scoring a further 6 tries before the break. Lock Charlie Williams, centre Gareth Jenner (2 tries), scrum half Rory Beech all featured on the try scoring sheet along with Noremac who scored two more to conclude a first half hatrick.

Ashford made some major changes for the second half. Displaced wing forward Tom Healy, featured at inside centre and made a well timed run, to score the opening try of the second half after just 5 minutes. Despite their reorganisation, Ashford maintained the territorial pressure and 14 minutes into the half Billy Stevens, playing out of position at No.8, crashed over to seal a 54-0 win.

Winger Harry Atkins and fly half Louis Burdon scored a conversion apiece. Player of the week was Tom Healy. Next week, Ashford U14s host Thanet.

Ashford RFC U14s vs. Sittingbourne 7th January 07

Ashford Under 14s Storm into the New Year

Sittingbourne 0 – Ashford 53

For their first fixture of the New Year Ashford Under 14s faced a Sittingbourne side made up with strong contingent of under 15s. Receiving the kick-off, Ashford lock George Woodrow sprinted deep into Sittingbourne territory and only a forward pass prevented an immediate score. From the resulting scrum, Ashford won the hook against the head, No.8 Chris Albrow picked up and fed blind-side wing forward Charlie Williams, who dived over the line to score the match’s opening try after just 60 seconds.

Sittingbourne kicked the restart long and Ashford cleared to touch just 5 metres outside their 22 metre line. The opposition lineout throw was stolen by No.8 Albrow who broke through the line, brushed aside the Sittingbourne scrum half and hooker, and then galloped 70 metres upfield to touch down under the posts.

4 minutes later Ashford won a scrum on the halfway line and the ball was spun wide to the right. Winger Grant Noremac came cross field on a switch move, wrong footed the Sittingbourne defence and sped 40 metres upfield. Noremac was held-up just 10 metres short and a quick offload to centre Gareth Jenner added Ashford’s third try.

Ashford were now clearly in the ascendant and wing forward Tom Healy caught the restart. He showed his speed and power when he made an arcing run of 70 metres and touched down under the posts to score Ashford try number 4.

Ashford resumed the pressure from the restart. From a scrum 25 metres out, No. 8 Albrow picked up and unselfishly passed the ball to supporting lock Lukas Warrilow who dived over to conclude the first half try scoring 31-0 in Ashford’s favour.

Ashford returned to the second half fray with a reshaped forward pack. This included a debut appearance for Towers schoolboy Tom Putnam.

The second half scoring was opened when centre Adam Batt broke the defensive line and passed to winger Noremac who outpaced the Sittingbourne defence to score in the corner. This score was soon followed by further tries from No.8 Albrow, wing forward Healy and another from Noremac. The match was concluded on 40 minutes when the Ashford score reached 53 points .

Fly half Harry Atkins scored 3 conversions and winger Noremac 1. Player of the week was Luke Ransley. Next week, Ashford Under 14s are scheduled to be at home versus Whitstable.