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 20^th 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.

# posted by Ashford RFC Under 14s : 12:50 pm