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.