Ashfield U17's 19 : 3 North Hykeham U17's
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Sunday 2 November 2008.
With 3 consecutive league wins confidence was high coming into this game and conditions were ideal to suite our forwards, cold, windy and wet. However what we didn’t expect from the opposition was the tenacious tackling by an under strength side that was very drilled and disciplined.
Our visitors kicked off and immediately the ball was recycled in favour of Ashfield, pressure was applied by our pack. Time and time again Ashfield surged forward during the opening 15 to 20 minutes only to be rebuffed by strong and resolute defending by the visitors and some indiscipline by our forwards. These frequent penalties lead to their lines being cleared and more importantly keeping the score at 0 – 0 for much of the game.
On a rare attacking foray into the Ashfield half North Hykeham started to exert pressure onto our back line and as we have seen in previous weeks the backs lead by Tom Dallinson and Danny Wilson proved more than a match for their opposite numbers. A penalty was awarded against the home side that allowed the visitors to open the scoring with a very well taken penalty by their fly-half, 0 – 3.
The score, against the run of play spurred Ashfield forward and this time the possession and good field position delivered our opening try. Rob Nicholson driving over close to the posts gave him his first try for the club Danny Wilson added the additional 2 points with the conversion, 7 – 3 this was the half time score.
The second half started the same way as the first half had finish, Ashfield encamped in the visitors half following good play by our forwards especially Jake Manning, Chris Eyles, Callam Beasley Ryan Carraher who seemed to be everywhere.
With Ashfield now well on top the home team scored their second try through Frazer Walsh with Danny Wilson adding another 2 points with the conversion. Chris Houseman then scored in the corner, for what seems to be his try a match, but with a tight angle Danny Wilson narrowly missing the conversion, making the final score 19 – 3.
At the end of the match the respect shown for each team was evident for all to see and again credit has to be given to North Hykeham because without their determination the score line could have been very different.
Back of the match: Tom Dallinson, forward of the match: Rob Nicholson, man of the match: Ryan Carraher.
Report by Paul Wilson.