Ashford RFC U14s vs. Tonbridge Judds. 18th February 2007

Ashford power to 10 try victory

Tonbridge Juddians 5 – Ashford 58

With 7 of the squad on county duty next week, this was the final full strength run out before the Ashford boys enter the Kent championship preliminaries on 8^th March. The recent appointment of New Zealander Karl Harding as the team’s backs coach has sharpened handling and given the team a more fluid style of play behind the scrum. The improvement was amply illustrated in this 10 tries to 1 victory.

The scoring was opened after just 2 minutes when Ashford forward pressure forced a free kick 10 metres from the Tonbridge line. Quickly taken the kick saw prop Billy Stevens barged his way over to touch down. 3 minutes later prop Tom Collins stole an opposition lineout throw and quick passing saw outside centre Grant Noremac speed through the defence for try number 2. On 9 minutes Ashford stole their first opposition scrummage put-in. No. 8 Christopher Albrow picked up and crisp passing saw the back division exploit a 3 man overlap, with Noremac going over for try number 3.

From the restart Tonbridge made a rare foray into the Ashford 22. Following a series of lineouts a long relieving kick by fly half Louis Burdon was chased up by the Ashford pack. No.8 Albrow gathered the ball and touched down near the posts for team try number 4.

From the restart Ashford went back on the attack before knocking on in the Tonbridge 22. Ashford again stole the opposition scrum put-in. No.8 Albrow picked up and this time fed a scoring pass to wing forward Glenn Caton who touched down in the corner.

The first half closed when Ashford’s scrum backrow of Caton, blindside flanker Tom Healy and No. 8 Albrow combined to charge 60 metres upfield before Healy popped an inside pass for centre Adam Batt to touch down. The half time score was 38-0.

The second half started brightly with two tries in four minutes. Receiving the kick-off Ashford’s backs swept upfield and winger Cameron Veitch was tackled 3 metres short of the try line. From the resulting scrum, scrum half Rory Beech probed the blindside and was held up. No.8 Albrow picked up the recycled ball to touch down and open the second half scoring. Minutes later pressure from Ashford’s rush defence forced Tonbridge to spill the ball in their 22. Exploiting the advantage, Ashford’s pack secured the ball and rapid handling saw Noremac slice through the defence and dot down for a personal hatrick of tries.

At 48-0 up, and knowing the next score could end the match, Ashford lost concentration and a series of penalties allowed Tonbridge to penetrate Ashford’s defensive cover and score a try.

In response Ashford reverted to their A strength line up. From a scrum on the half way, Beech made a 40 metre blindside break down the left hand tramline before No.8 Albrow, in close support, took the inside pass for a 10 metre run-in and his third try.

5 minutes later, the curtain was brought down on the match when a characteristic weaving break from Albrow saw him score try number 10 for the team and bring his personal match haul to 4 tries.

Player of the week was scrum half Rory Beech. Louis Burdon scored four conversions. Next weekend, the Ashford Under 14s host Canterbury.

Ashford RFC U14s vs. Westcombe Park 11th February 2007

Ashford splash to 8 try victory

Ashford 48 – Westcombe Park 3

This match could easily have been dominated by the soggy conditions. Snow melt and heavy weekend rain had made the pitch close to waterlogged. And intermittent rain fell throughout the match. Despite this, the Ashford boys successfully displayed precise handling, crisp execution and a willingness to move the ball wide that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a dry day.

Ashford opened the scoring after just 90 seconds. No. 8 Christopher Albrow stole a ‘Combe lineout throw on the halfway line, burst through the forward defences and sidestepped his way 50 metres through the Park defence to dot down near the posts.

5 minutes later Ashford won a scrum on the halfway line and broke down the left wing and were forced into touch just 5 metres short. From the resulting lineout, wing forward Glenn Caton snapped up the bobbling ball and dived over for a converted try that widened the score to 14-0.

Ashford maintained control of both territory and possession until their defence failed to gather a ball kicked through along the ground. Ashford were penalised for offside 20 metres out and in front of their goal posts. Rather than run the ball, Westcombe chose to kick for goal and duly took the 3 points on offer.

Spurred on by conceding the points, Ashford resumed their pressure on the ‘Combe line. Just before half time Patrick MacEnri dived over to score from short range, making the score 21-3 in Ashford’s favour.

The second half opened with a try from Ashford centre Grant Noremac, who powered through the ‘Combe defence and dived over after just 2 minutes of play. This was followed by a second try from No.8 Albrow, a second try from wing forward Caton and a first try from prop Billy Stevens.

Ashford’s power in the scrum saw them penalised on several occasions. This gave ‘Combe some respite from the pressure. Breaking out from defence, the ‘Combe no.8 charged 50 metres upfield and only a last ditch corner-flag tackle from lock George Woodrow stopped a certain try.

The curtain was brought down on the match when pressure from Ashford forced the ‘Combe defence to spill the ball under their posts. An alert Caton dived on the loose ball to knotch up a personal hatrick of tries and a 48-3 victory.

Player of the week was Grant Noremac. Louis Burdon scored four conversions. Next weekend, the Ashford Under 14s travel to Tonbridge Juddians.

Ashford RFC U14s vs. Cranbrook 4th February 2007

Normal service resumed

Cranbrook 5 – Ashford 24

Ashford returned to Rammell’s Field only two months after a 38-0 victory. This time round both sides were at full strength and Cranbrook were in a more determined mood. Cranbrook elected to kick down the slope and immediately put Ashford under pressure.

After 5 minutes Cranbrook’s tall lock Josh Pettet won a lineout throw 5 metres from Ashford’s line. Pettet offloaded to prop Jasper Thompson, who barged his way over to score a try.

5 -0 down Ashford soon lost centre Gareth Jenner and prop Billy Stevens to injury. Their replacements, Charlie Williams and Patrick Macenri, slotted in seemlessly and Ashford began to nudge ahead in the battle for possession. Only an adverse penalty count allowed Cranbrook to contain Ashford’s momentum during the remainder of the half.

Turning round, Ashford immediately took advantage of the slope and drove deep into Cranbrook territory. 5 minutes into the half Ashford pressure forced Cranbrook to concede a free-kick just 10 metres from their line. Quick-witted No.8 Chris Albrow, tapped the kick and darted through a retreating Cranbrook defence to open Ashford’s try account and level the scores.

The restart kick was caught by Charlie Williams, now playing at lock, who charged 20 metres downfield. The ball was quickly recycled and passed to centre Grant Noremac. Noremac sliced through the Cranbrook cover and sprinted 50 metres to touch down for a converted try.

Two minutes later, Williams again caught the restart and charged downfield. This time the Cranbrook defence came up much faster and a looping pass by fly half Louis Burdon, saw inside centre Adam Batt cut through the defensive line. Batt fed centre partner Noremac who made a simple run-in to touch down under the posts. Converted, the try gave Ashford a 14 point cushion.

Ashford then rang the changes, giving a debut appearance on the wing to Tom Mead. As the match entered its final phase Ashford drove into Cranbrook territory winning a scrum on the 22. Scrum half Rory Beech dummied to the open side, then broke down the blind side and dotted down for a final score of 24-5.

Player of the week was Charlie Williams. Louis Burdon scored two conversions. Next weekend, the Ashford Under 14s entertain Westcombe Park.

Hertfordshire U14s vs. Kent 28th January 2007

Ashford boys impress in Kent clean sweep

Ashford’s contingent of 7 County Under 14 players impressed as Kent made a clean sweep in their two matches away against Hertfordshire.

Prop Billy Stevens and No.8 Christopher Albrow featured in the A match line-up, with Albrow scoring Kent’s opening try 15 minutes into the game. They were joined in the second half by Centre Adam Batt, in a match eventually won by Kent 18 points to 5.

In match B, Louis Burdon started as Kent fly half and was joined by winger Grant Noremac and Prop Tom Collins. Turning round 7-0 up, Collins bolstered a creaking Kent scrum and provided a solid platform for an eventual 17-0 win.

Ashford RFC U14s vs. Aylesford 28th January 2007

Rose rises to the challenge

Ashford 0 – Aylesford 10

This was always going to be a difficult match for the Ashford Under 14s. With seven of their squad of 23 players away on Kent duty many players were force into unfamiliar roles. The season’s earlier encounter between the two sides had been won 35-5 by the Ashford boys and Aylesford themselves also had three players on Kent duty.

The match got off to a bad start when the Ashford side failed to gather the kick-off. Weak tackling allowed the visitors to move the ball wide and score the opening try after just 30 seconds. Conceding the try shocked the Ashford boys into action. Led by skipper Glen Caton the Ashford boys took control of both possession and territory. Despite pressuring the try line on several occasions, they couldn’t get the all important breakthrough.

Approaching half time, injuries to several key players slowed the team’s momentum. Luckily, Ashford had two Under 13s on standby and Owain Fussell and Max Rose stepped up a year to join the fray. Rose making a crucial one on one tackle that prevented Aylesford from breaking out of their half.

The second half saw Ashford resume their territorial dominance. However, the pattern of the first half was repeated and a loss of concentration and poor tackling allowed Aylesford to score the all important second try.

Despite the losing result, the match gave many of the less experienced Ashford boys the opportunity to play a full match. It was a test of stamina and concentration that most of the boys passed.

Player of the week was Max Rose, who should be proud of his ability to step up a year and play with such maturity. Next weekend, the Ashford Under 14s travel away to Cranbrook.

Seven Ashford boys selected for Kent

Seven boys from the Ashford Rugby Club Under 14s have been selected to represent the Kent county side. The boys, all year 9 pupils at local schools, embark on their representative careers when the Kent Under 14s travel to face Hertfordshire on Sunday 28^th January.

The selected players, showing their respective schools and playing positions are:

Tom Collins; Swadelands; Loosehead Prop
Billy Stevens; Norton Knatchbull; Tighthead Prop
Christopher Albrow; Harvey Grammar; No.8
Louis Burdon; Norton Knatchbull; Fly Half
Adam Batt; Norton Knatchbull; Outside Centre
Harry Atkins; Norton Knatchbull; Right Wing
Grant Noremac; Towers; Left Wing

Ashford Rugby Club’s Youth Co-ordinator Carolyn McVittie was delighted with the selection news. “This is a tremendous achievement for the club and real recognition for how we are developing the game of rugby in the Ashford area. The Ashford boys have succeeded in winning selection following a three-stage trials process stretching back to May 2006. They have worked hard throughout the Autumn and Winter, even training on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Their dedication to rugby has now paid off with county representation.”

Ashford RFC U14s vs. Medway 21st January 07

Ashford 29 – Medway 0

Ashford Under 14s entertained Medway without most of their contingent of Kent players. The objective was to prepare some of the less experienced players for the 3 weekends when 7 of the squad are away representing Kent.

With several players out of position, the Ashford team took some time to break down an improving Medway side. The score was still even 15 minutes into the match when Ashford were awarded a scrum 20 metres out. The ball was passed to inside centre Gareth Jenner who powered through the opposition tackles and dotted down near the posts. The try was converted by fly half Daniel Head. Matters remained tight for the rest of the first half and there was no further score.

The second half saw Ashford in a more dominant position. An injury meant Ashford replaced two of their less experienced personnel. 5minutes into the half, Kent centre Adam Batt came on to play on the wing and used his pace to arc around the Medway defence to score a try converted try by Head. Then an injury to George Morgan saw the introduction of Kent No.8 Chris Albrow. Albrow playing at lock burst through the Medway defence to score.

Batt then added a second try. Before Jenner added the concluding try on 45 minutes.

Player of the week was Glenn Caton. Next weekend, seven of the side make their Kent debuts away to Hertfordshire. The remaining Ashford U14s host Aylesford.