Chess Valley

Chess Valley

Chess Valley RFC (0) v. (43) The Old Ashmolean RFC

Ashmole were on the road again for their third game in the league. This game was the first encounter of these two sides since Ashmole stunned Valley in the semi-final of the county vase two seasons ago. In team selection, Ashmole were much nearer full strength with players returning including 2nd row Miller and influential centre Morgan.

After a good start from Ashmole, it was Morgan, on his return, who showed the first sign that Valley would have a tough challenge ahead of them. For the first try, Strong running from Van Dyk drew two defenders before Morgan injected the pace and left the valley defence in quicksand as he galloped 25 yards to the try line. The second came in similar fashion with the same two players combining from closer range. The third try was undoubtedly the move of the match. The Ashmole team demonstrated their out of the tackle play once again, with forwards and backs interchanging and the valley tackles failing to prevent the offload. After a 70 yard move including at least 8 players, Paul Stewart took an inside pass from his skipper Grainger and squeezed in at the corner. Following their assisting roles in the early tries, Grainger and Van Dyk added scores of their own and at half time the score stood at 31-0. Ashmole had been totally dominant and much the better side. The Chess Valley team seemed to lack both ideas and genuine attacking weapons, however Ashmole had put together their best half of rugby this annum and spectators were predicting a similar second half deficit.

Unfortunately, the second half failed to live up to expectation. Whether this was the result of increased endeavour from Valley or a drop off in quality from Ashmole was unclear. What was clear was that the game was nowhere near the intensity of the first half. This was not helped by a stoppage in play where a Valley player showed that his preparation was not all it may have been. After this, with the game over as a contest, Ashmole seemed to take their foot off the gas and cruise to the finish. Second half scores did come from Aracus, after some good backs handling and another score from Grainger which sparked some ugly scenes. Valley's frustration at the gulf in quality showed and Ashmole intimated that they are unlikely to take a backward step.

The best performance so far from the moles, even if they did spend the second half in 3rd gear. For Valley, a disappointing afternoon, where they struggled to cope and stalled on numerous occasions. Best of luck to them in their future games and the moles move on with their unbeaten record still in tact.

The Old Ashmolean RFC scorers

Tries: Morgan (2), Grainger (2), Van Dyk, Stewart, Aracas,

Con: Martin (4)


	Hendon \| Mill Hill \| Hemel Hempstead \| Chess Valley \| Grammarians \| Old Haberdashers \| Royston \| Chelmsford \| Old Haberdashers \| Chess Valley Semi Final \| HERTS TROPHY CUP FINAL \| Mersea Island Chess Valley Chess Valley RFC (0) v. (43) The Old Ashmolean RFC Ashmole were on the road again for their third game in the league. This game was the first encounter of these two sides since Ashmole stunned Valley in the semi-final of the county vase two seasons ago. In team selection, Ashmole were much nearer full strength with players returning including 2nd row Miller and influential centre Morgan. After a good start from Ashmole, it was Morgan, on his return, who showed the first sign that Valley would have a tough challenge ahead of them. For the first try, Strong running from Van Dyk drew two defenders before Morgan injected the pace and left the valley defence in quicksand as he galloped 25 yards to the try line. The second came in similar fashion with the same two players combining from closer range. The third try was undoubtedly the move of the match. The Ashmole team demonstrated their out of the tackle play once again, with forwards and backs interchanging and the valley tackles failing to prevent the offload. After a 70 yard move including at least 8 players, Paul Stewart took an inside pass from his skipper Grainger and squeezed in at the corner. Following their assisting roles in the early tries, Grainger and Van Dyk added scores of their own and at half time the score stood at 31-0. Ashmole had been totally dominant and much the better side. The Chess Valley team seemed to lack both ideas and genuine attacking weapons, however Ashmole had put together their best half of rugby this annum and spectators were predicting a similar second half deficit. Unfortunately, the second half failed to live up to expectation. Whether this was the result of increased endeavour from Valley or a drop off in quality from Ashmole was unclear. What was clear was that the game was nowhere near the intensity of the first half. This was not helped by a stoppage in play where a Valley player showed that his preparation was not all it may have been. After this, with the game over as a contest, Ashmole seemed to take their foot off the gas and cruise to the finish. Second half scores did come from Aracus, after some good backs handling and another score from Grainger which sparked some ugly scenes. Valley's frustration at the gulf in quality showed and Ashmole intimated that they are unlikely to take a backward step. The best performance so far from the moles, even if they did spend the second half in 3rd gear. For Valley, a disappointing afternoon, where they struggled to cope and stalled on numerous occasions. Best of luck to them in their future games and the moles move on with their unbeaten record still in tact. The Old Ashmolean RFC scorers Tries: Morgan (2), Grainger (2), Van Dyk, Stewart, Aracas, Con: Martin (4)