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.