Ashfield U19’s 5 : 29 East Retford U19’s
.
5th October 2008
Rain high wind and driving rain greeted both teams to Moor Lane far from the conditions Ashfield wanted as their back line looked full of running. But the order of the day was to keep the ball close for the pack to use their rucking and mauling skills.
For the first 10 to 15 minutes the game was Ashfield’s for the taking, pack dominate and virtually playing all the rugby in the Retford half, but as so often for the home side a mistake lead to the opening score for the visitors.
With the wet conditions the backs didn’t break the gain line too often during the first half it was down to resolute defending led by Kieran Walsh and Danny Wilson who both were talking like demons and good positional kicking by fly half Adam Dawson. But again a mistake by the home side led to another try for the visitors.
Just prior to half time the forwards finally delivered a great opportunity for No. 8 Wes Wakelin who was very unfortunate not to score in the corner, this may have deflated the opposition but it wasn’t to be.
The second half commenced with the home side having to defend and to the credit of 15 on the pitch the defending was resolute. But again and down to possibly a lack of training for some of the player’s tiredness took it toll and Retford ran in two quick tries.
Were Ashfield down hearted, no they stuck to the game plan again delivering a good platform this time delivering a try for Wes Wakelin to score following some good work by Tom Greasley.
The good work by the forwards lead by Craig Ward, Richard Hutchinson and Frazier Walsh did not reflect in the final time score line especially as the away side had 5 first team players in their junior ranks.
Back of the match Kieran Walsh, forward of the match Richard Hutchinson and man of the match Craig Ward.
Report by Paul Wilson.