Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Ashford RFC Under 12s Match Report 10th April 2005
Ashford fail narrowly in valiant attempt to secure Kent crown
Ashford 10 (2 tries) – Erith 0 (Walkover)
Ashford 25 (5 tries) – Thanet 0
Ashford 20 (4 tries) – Blackheath B 0
Ashford 5 (1 try) – Blackheath A 10 (2 tries)
Ashford’s brave Under 12s narrowly failed in their attempt to take the Kent title losing out by 2 tries to 1 to reigning champions and eventual tournament winners Blackheath A. The Ashford team had set their stall out to win the main event with forwards Billy Stevens and Christopher Albrow working in unison to power through their weaker opponents. The team cruised through their qualifying group with a walkover against Erith – who failed to field a team on time and then easy wins against Thanet and Blackheath B.
In the quarter final Ashford faced Blackheath “A” – 3 times winners of the Kent championship. Ashford opened strongly winning a scrum against the head and immediately pressuring the Blackheath line. Until this point in the tournament, both Ashford and Blackheath had kept clean sheets. The deadlock was broken after four minutes when lock George Morgan picked up from behind a ruck on the half way line and fed fly half Louis Burdon. Burdon burst through two Blackheath tackles and sprinted towards the try line. Unfortunately, 2 metres short he was high tackled around the head. Despite the illegal tackle Burdon still placed the ball well and hooker George Sladden followed up to scoop up the ball and dive over to open the scores. Ashford were ahead but their jubilation was tempered by the loss of Burdon who left the field for treatment. This required the team’s backline to be reorganised.
Early in the second half Blackheath, twice broke through Ashford’s disorganised defence to take a two tries to one lead. But Ashford weren’t finished. They mounted a massive effort to breach the Blackheath line. From a series of lineouts and scrums Ashford drove towards the Blackheath line. At one Blackheath kicked high and long out of defence. Fullback Daniel Head chased back and made an overhead catch worthy of an American Football running back. Regaining his bearings, Head coolly sidestepped the onrushing Blackheath players and linked with his forwards to set up another attack. Despite leading 2 tries to 1, Blackheath were now on the back foot. Fly half Burdon rejoined the fray and only desperate – and illegal - Blackheath defence kept the Ashford team at bay. Inside the last minute Ashford won a penalty that saw prop Stevens batter his way towards the line. He was held up just short and the team recycled possession and forwards Glenn Caton, Albrow and Morgan all making forceful attempts to cross the line. With the clock running down, Ashford were just 18 inches short of the try line when a Blackheath player killed the ball at a tackle. As Stevens, back on his feet, wrestled for the ball with the infringing player, the referee blew for the Blackheath infringement - and then inexplicably called time. Ashford had been denied by gamesmanship worthy of a premiership side.
In many respects, despite the defeat, the match represented the team’s performance of the season. It was fantastic squad performance. The side has made much progress in the last 12 months and now know the measure of what’s required to become Kent Champions. They will be back in September ready to challenge for greater honours.
Apart from George Sladden other try scorers at the tournament were Chris Albrow and Harry Atkins with 2 apiece, and Luke Chinnery, Billy Stevens, George Morgan, Grant Noremac and Harvey Piper with one each. Player of the week was Daniel Head.
Ashford 10 (2 tries) – Erith 0 (Walkover)
Ashford 25 (5 tries) – Thanet 0
Ashford 20 (4 tries) – Blackheath B 0
Ashford 5 (1 try) – Blackheath A 10 (2 tries)
Ashford’s brave Under 12s narrowly failed in their attempt to take the Kent title losing out by 2 tries to 1 to reigning champions and eventual tournament winners Blackheath A. The Ashford team had set their stall out to win the main event with forwards Billy Stevens and Christopher Albrow working in unison to power through their weaker opponents. The team cruised through their qualifying group with a walkover against Erith – who failed to field a team on time and then easy wins against Thanet and Blackheath B.
In the quarter final Ashford faced Blackheath “A” – 3 times winners of the Kent championship. Ashford opened strongly winning a scrum against the head and immediately pressuring the Blackheath line. Until this point in the tournament, both Ashford and Blackheath had kept clean sheets. The deadlock was broken after four minutes when lock George Morgan picked up from behind a ruck on the half way line and fed fly half Louis Burdon. Burdon burst through two Blackheath tackles and sprinted towards the try line. Unfortunately, 2 metres short he was high tackled around the head. Despite the illegal tackle Burdon still placed the ball well and hooker George Sladden followed up to scoop up the ball and dive over to open the scores. Ashford were ahead but their jubilation was tempered by the loss of Burdon who left the field for treatment. This required the team’s backline to be reorganised.
Early in the second half Blackheath, twice broke through Ashford’s disorganised defence to take a two tries to one lead. But Ashford weren’t finished. They mounted a massive effort to breach the Blackheath line. From a series of lineouts and scrums Ashford drove towards the Blackheath line. At one Blackheath kicked high and long out of defence. Fullback Daniel Head chased back and made an overhead catch worthy of an American Football running back. Regaining his bearings, Head coolly sidestepped the onrushing Blackheath players and linked with his forwards to set up another attack. Despite leading 2 tries to 1, Blackheath were now on the back foot. Fly half Burdon rejoined the fray and only desperate – and illegal - Blackheath defence kept the Ashford team at bay. Inside the last minute Ashford won a penalty that saw prop Stevens batter his way towards the line. He was held up just short and the team recycled possession and forwards Glenn Caton, Albrow and Morgan all making forceful attempts to cross the line. With the clock running down, Ashford were just 18 inches short of the try line when a Blackheath player killed the ball at a tackle. As Stevens, back on his feet, wrestled for the ball with the infringing player, the referee blew for the Blackheath infringement - and then inexplicably called time. Ashford had been denied by gamesmanship worthy of a premiership side.
In many respects, despite the defeat, the match represented the team’s performance of the season. It was fantastic squad performance. The side has made much progress in the last 12 months and now know the measure of what’s required to become Kent Champions. They will be back in September ready to challenge for greater honours.
Apart from George Sladden other try scorers at the tournament were Chris Albrow and Harry Atkins with 2 apiece, and Luke Chinnery, Billy Stevens, George Morgan, Grant Noremac and Harvey Piper with one each. Player of the week was Daniel Head.
