Mellish U17’s 10 : 13 Ashfield U17’s
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19th October 2008
Our away trip to Mellish was going to be a hard match because in the last 4 years our age group have been under extreme pressure to deliver good performances against older opposition. Today was no different but the outcome certainly was.
Coming into the game off two good wins the confidence was high but controlled especially with several changes to key positions within the team. This was called upon very early in the game as Mellish scored the opening try after 5 minutes but the conversion was missed to keep the score 5-0 to the home side.
To their credit, Ashfield weathered the storm by some fine kicking by fly-half Danny Wilson and fullback Shaun Payne, both relieving the pressure being exerted by some very aggressive forward play by the home side. Mellish began to loose their discipline and were penalised time and time again for disrupting the scrum and slow play.
Towards the end of the first half a good cross field kick by centre Mark George lead to a 5 minute passage of play that should have lead to an equalising try for Ashfield but the home side stood firm and repelled the many phases of play Ashfield set up, half time score 5-0.
With the breeze in our favour Ashfield virtually encamped themselves in the Mellish half and it wasn’t too long before a try for the visitors was scored. The dominant forwards set up a platform for Ben Clay to score from close range, with the tight angle Danny Wilson narrowly missed the conversion.
Back down field the Ashfield team drove to score again through Chris Houseman after good work by Regan Johnson and Ryan Carraher, this time Shaun Payne narrowly missing the extra two points. 10-5 to the visitors, this was the catalyst Mellish wanted, they drove at our defence and it was only a matter of time before they scored in the corner making the score 10 points each.
We have seen a new determination in recent weeks from Ashfield who took the game by the scruff of the neck and surged forward delivery several good opportunities for that elusive third try. With time almost over a penalty was awarded about 24m out and up stepped Danny Wilson to score with what turned out to be the last play of the game.
For very different reasons from last week this was a very mature display from all 18 players, awesome!
Back of the match Shaun Payne, forward of the match Regan Johnson and man of the match Danny Wilson.
Report by Paul Wilson.