Monday, November 08, 2004
Match Report 7th November 2004
Ashford U12s Maintain Sparkling Form at Canterbury Festival
Ashford’s Under 12 rugby team maintained their recent good form for Sunday’s Canterbury festival. Canterbury had purposely invited two of stronger sides from west Kent – Tonbridge Juddians and Westcombe Park – to bolster the strength of the inaugural festival. However, Ashford’s character and determination saw them more than rise to the challenge presented by some of the county’s stronger teams.
In their first match, against Canterbury, the Ashford boys got off to a slow start as a reorganised and disjointed back division failed to make their first up tackles. Conceding 2 tries in the first 5 minutes, half time saw Ashford unexpectedly trailing. However, in the second half, the entry of lock Christopher Albrow and the resurgent power of prop Billy Stevens saw Ashford force Canterbury firmly onto the defensive. Three unanswered scores from Adam Batt, Stevens and George Morgan saw Ashford secure a 3 tries to 2 win.
Match two, against Westcombe Park, saw a more alert Ashford dominate from the first whistle. However, dogged defence by the west Kent side constrained Ashford to a 2 tries to nil victory – with Stevens and Morgan again on the score sheet.
Match three saw a physical, but ultimately easy, match against Tonbridge Juddians. Ashford opened up an early lead as the Ashford pack dominated both possession and territory. The pressure forced a frustrated Tonbridge side to lose their discipline, resulting in a sending off for the west Kent side. At this stage, with the win assured, Ashford threw their less experienced players into the fray. Forwards Patrick Macenri and Adam Burden continued their good progress. New boy Tom Healy also played a creditable first game for the club. Well executed tries by Batt (2), Albrow (2), Stevens, Grant Noremac and Luke Ransley saw Ashford record a 7 tries to nil victory.
The day’s final game saw Ashford rematched against Canterbury. Smarting from Ashford’s recent dominance, the Canterbury team made a determined attempt to secure a win in front of a supportive home crowd. However, Ashford’s superior teamwork, and a resurgent pack, saw Ashford dominate for most of the match. The match remained highly competitive throughout, before Ashford eventually ran out winners by 2 tries to 1. Winger Batt and lock Albrow touching down.
In summary, Ashford’s Under 12s delivered a powerful all round performance. The Ashford forward pack is finally showing signs of realising their true potential. Player of the week was Billy Stevens.
With a growing squad, the team is keen to recruit additional players to create a full size development team. The coaching line-up has been expanded with the appointment of Dave Morgan as forward’s coach and Chris Burden as development squad manager. Interested parents or teachers should contact the team’s coach, David Burdon, on 01233 663199.
David Burdon 7th November 2004
Ashford’s Under 12 rugby team maintained their recent good form for Sunday’s Canterbury festival. Canterbury had purposely invited two of stronger sides from west Kent – Tonbridge Juddians and Westcombe Park – to bolster the strength of the inaugural festival. However, Ashford’s character and determination saw them more than rise to the challenge presented by some of the county’s stronger teams.
In their first match, against Canterbury, the Ashford boys got off to a slow start as a reorganised and disjointed back division failed to make their first up tackles. Conceding 2 tries in the first 5 minutes, half time saw Ashford unexpectedly trailing. However, in the second half, the entry of lock Christopher Albrow and the resurgent power of prop Billy Stevens saw Ashford force Canterbury firmly onto the defensive. Three unanswered scores from Adam Batt, Stevens and George Morgan saw Ashford secure a 3 tries to 2 win.
Match two, against Westcombe Park, saw a more alert Ashford dominate from the first whistle. However, dogged defence by the west Kent side constrained Ashford to a 2 tries to nil victory – with Stevens and Morgan again on the score sheet.
Match three saw a physical, but ultimately easy, match against Tonbridge Juddians. Ashford opened up an early lead as the Ashford pack dominated both possession and territory. The pressure forced a frustrated Tonbridge side to lose their discipline, resulting in a sending off for the west Kent side. At this stage, with the win assured, Ashford threw their less experienced players into the fray. Forwards Patrick Macenri and Adam Burden continued their good progress. New boy Tom Healy also played a creditable first game for the club. Well executed tries by Batt (2), Albrow (2), Stevens, Grant Noremac and Luke Ransley saw Ashford record a 7 tries to nil victory.
The day’s final game saw Ashford rematched against Canterbury. Smarting from Ashford’s recent dominance, the Canterbury team made a determined attempt to secure a win in front of a supportive home crowd. However, Ashford’s superior teamwork, and a resurgent pack, saw Ashford dominate for most of the match. The match remained highly competitive throughout, before Ashford eventually ran out winners by 2 tries to 1. Winger Batt and lock Albrow touching down.
In summary, Ashford’s Under 12s delivered a powerful all round performance. The Ashford forward pack is finally showing signs of realising their true potential. Player of the week was Billy Stevens.
With a growing squad, the team is keen to recruit additional players to create a full size development team. The coaching line-up has been expanded with the appointment of Dave Morgan as forward’s coach and Chris Burden as development squad manager. Interested parents or teachers should contact the team’s coach, David Burdon, on 01233 663199.
David Burdon 7th November 2004
