Sunday, February 27, 2005
Training Session 27th February
Cranbrook Fixture Cancelled
Match cancelled at 7:45am. We will now carry out a fitness session at Ashford.
David Burdon
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Cranbrook Fixture Definitely ON
Tomorrow's fixture at Cranbrook has been confirmed as definitely on. Please be there for 10am. A map is available on the main website. Any problems call me on 01233 663199.
David Burdon 8:20pm 26th February.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Match Cancellation - Saturday 26th
Saturday's match versus Old Elthamians has been cancelled due to a flooded pitch. Sunday's matches at Cranbrook will still take place.
David Burdon 9:40pm Thursday 24th February.
Mid Kent Water Website
please have a look at the Mid Kent Water website. You will be impressed with the way the local water company has presented the team. Many thanks to Jane Noremac for securing the sponsorship.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Weather at the weekend
Weather
I am obviously aware of the snowy conditions and will keep everyone informed if there is a change of plans for the weekend. Please review this site from time to time. I will also send out an e-mail to the 20 or so parents for whom I have an e-mail address. If any one is unsure at any stage please call me on 01233 663199.
David Burdon 23rd February 2005
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Ashford Kent Under 12 Rugby
News: The Club have announced that the Mini's Awards will take place on Sunday 17th April.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Match Report 13th February 2005
Strong team effort defeats Essex Champs.
Ashford 10 (2 tries) Romford & Gidea Park 5 (1 Try)
Ashford Under 12s travelled to Medway expecting a gentle run out versus the home side and a couple of the lesser developed sides from within the county. In the event, the two weaker sides cancelled and they were replaced on the fixture card by Essex Under 12 Champions Romford. As well as being Essex champions, the Romfordians had reached last season’s Twickenham semi-finals of the nationally organised Gulliver’s Travels Championship. Romford had apparently ventured into Kent in an attempt to find some stiffer competition - and they certainly found it facing an Ashford Under 12 side chasing their 20th win on the trot.
From the kick-off Ashford took the challenge to the Essex visitors. After just 2 minutes of play a concerted Ashford drive saw the ball grounded over the opposition try line, only for the referee to rule the ball “held-up”. From the resulting 5-metre scrum, scrum half Luke Ransley broke towards the line and was tackled short. From the resulting melee, hooker George Sladden dived under a pile of bodies to touch down. Five minutes before half time, against the run of play, Romford responded by peeling off the blind side of a maul to level the scores at one try apiece.
In the second half, Ashford re-established their territorial advantage. Ashford’s aggressive midfield tackling forcing a series of errors from the Romford backs. Each time the ball was spilled by their opponents, Ashford‘s back line pace saw the team surge into opposition territory. As frustration got the better of the Essex boys, Ashford were presented with a series of penalty opportunities. From one, tight head prop Billy Stevens barged towards the line. As Stevens was driven into the ingoal, hooker Sladden leached the ball and dived over to score Ashford’s second try. This time Ashford refused to allow Romford back into the match and kept up the territorial pressure. With 5 minutes to go, prop Stevens drove over to score a third “try”. Unfortunately the referee was unsighted and the try was disallowed. However, although deprived of a closeout score, the Ashford boys battled out the last few minutes to secure the win and take a prestigious scalp.
In summary, Romford provided a great test for the Ashford boys, who showed their team spirit and resolve in overcoming a strong and aggressive Under 12 formation.
Medway 0 – Ashford 35 (7 tries)
Ashford’s second game was against the home side. In previous seasons, Medway presented a severe test. This season, however, Ashford’s progress has seen the team open up a clear gap in ability over the North Kent side. Pack leader Chris Albrow opened the try scoring after a break from close to halfway. This was followed by a Billy Stevens try from close range. In total, Ashford scored seven tries. In addition to scores previously mentioned, were a brace of tries each for centres Grant Noremac and Adam Batt and a single try from Luke Ransley. Try of the day came from a lineout catch on half way by lock Albrow. The ball was crisply passed across the complete three quarter line, recycled and then passed back again for centre Noremac to dot down the try.
“A” team player of the week was Alex Rawlins and Development squad player of the week was Jason Tong.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Match Report 6th February 2005
Away at Whitstable at the weekend, Ashford Under 12s put in a commanding display and romped to a 14 try victory over the seasiders. For this fixture, Ashford’s forward pack was back to full strength. The power of tight head prop Billy Stevens, the scavenging of loose head prop Glen Caton and the rucking, picking and driving of vice captain Christopher Albrow were just too much for the inexperienced Whitstable opponents.
Ashford got off to an ominously powerful start when they caught the ball from the kick off and immediately drove within 5 metres of their opponents try line. Only a knock-on saved Whitstable the embarrassment of a score within the opening seconds. However, from the resulting scrum Ashford hooked the ball against the head and a quick pass from scrum half Luke Ransley saw fly half Louis Burdon scamper round the blind side and dot down to open the scores.
From the restart, lock Christopher Albrow charged upfield and was caught inches short of a second try. Again, Ashford took the opposition ball from the resulting scrum and this time, centre Adam Batt sprinted to the corner for the touch down. For the third restart, Whitstable kicked high and long. The kick was fielded by fullback Daniel Head who launched a 50 metre counter attack. As the Whitstable defenders closed in Head fed the ball to centre Grant Noremac with a well-timed pass. From 15 metres out Noremac powered over to make the score 15 nil. The pattern of the game was now established. Ashford increasingly dominated the set piece, the tackle zone, the rucks and mauls and the loose. Quick passing meant that Ashford’s backs and mobile forwards were scoring tries almost at will.
As the match came towards a close, Ashford’s ascendance became total. The final score came when prop Billy Stevens charged over from a tap penalty on the half way line. In total, Ashford scored 14 tries without reply. At 70 points to nil the match was stopped early. Ashford’s try scorers were Billy Stevens and Grant Noremac with a hatrick apiece, Adam Batt and Louis Burdon with a brace each, and George Sladden, Harry Atkins, Drummond Clark and Chris Albrow with one each.
Other noteworthy performances were by Alexander Rawlins, who made a sound debut on the wing, and replacement front row Patrick MacEnri. “A” team player of the week was prop Cameron Veitch.
Ashford B 45 (9 tries) Whitstable 0
Ashford’s development squad showed they are developing rapidly when they also achieved a big score against Whitstable. Playing against their opponents "A" team, a much-improved pack produced sufficient ball to run in nine tries. Captain Joseph Brightwell and fellow lock Harvey Piper out shoved and out jumped their heavier opponents. Tackling by the backs was also much improved. Debutant Jason Tong, from Swadelands School, also put in a solid performance. Development squad player of the week was Harry Meredith.
