Chess Valley Semi Final

So it was back, Sunday rugby and a cup where you play a one game (semi) and then are rewarded by being in the final! Old foes met once more in Rickmansworth, as this was a repeat of the semi two years ago in the same competition. On that occasion Chess were the team in a better league position and ashmole were just starting to make their name as giant killers and league hoppers. Its different now. Ashmole fly high at the top of the league, a league which chess are in but have settled for stability.

This game was started finished and maintained with Ashmole in pretty dominant form. The moles have flattered to deceive of late as several performances have been slightly below par and the competitiveness of a tougher league has hit the squad hard. They well and truly bounced back and played some highly attractive rugby which made then well deserved of their large tally and win.

Points flowed relatively consistently through the game, although Chess's defence was stout. It wasn't that chess were lacking in bravery or want, just that they were consistently out thought by the moles. Ash rediscovered their attacking flair, linking backs and forwards during several champagne moves which delighted 70% of the crowd.

Added to their tries, the Ashmole fly half found tremendous form, converting all but one of his attempts. The Chess try was the one blot on the copy book. Following a penalty, they drove a lineout and after the ref (who had a surprisingly competent game) had pinged the moles for pulling down, they tapped quickly and caught Ashmole knapping.

Special mentions in this game go to Newman, who played out of position and full back and showed the knowledge and experience of a Fred Colbourne and the pace and skill level of a Dennis Dodd! Superb performance. Grainger and Morgan showed that they are capable of forging a competent centre partnership, while the forwards to a man performed with endeavour and skill. Surging runs from Spies and Miller, were complemented by the support play of their fellow fatties!

This sets up a final against Hemel, who unsurprisingly for this competition are yet to play. Should be a close battle, which the moles will be confident of running very very close.

Well lets get it out of the way before we start on the match, yes ! Hemel won the league on a ridiculous technicality but that is just the way the cookie crumbles and whilst Ashmole have every right to feel hard done by they are bigger and better than that. While Hemel will celebrate a league title they didn't deserve, all the football style chanting their fans churn out will not disperse that deep down feeling that they got lucky and this game would prove that to them and the entire county!

With the two league games ending one a piece this was quite literally the decider, although the cup final would have no bearing on the league standing it would certainly mean a hell of a lot more to both clubs as they knew the importance of the win. It was not about the trophy or the silver winners cup, this was about making it 2-1 for the season and although neither side would admit it, it would show who was the better side and the true champions.

With the prologue out the way lets focus on what was an absolutely excellent game of rugby and a true advert for the sport.

It naturally started extremely tense with Hemel flying out of the traps and catching Ashmole a little cold, with the young Ashmole side having many players playing in their first final. However the defence started immensely and would continue in that vein throughout the entire game. The more experienced Hemel side playing in the second consecutive final rarely troubled the Ashmole try line, finding it extremely frustrating to break their opposition down and they began to show their ill discipline.

The two early league matches had been fiery encounters but on both occasions there was a definite lack of strong refereeing but we certainly had that today and Hemel would continue to push his patience and were fortunate not have a player sin binned.

With the wind largely behind them in the first half Hemel slotted home several penalties including those from distance. Ashmole however played a well structured style and with the aid of their hugely improved pack, albeit re-shuffled due to injury, they edged their way up the pitch and found themselves able to obliterate the Hemel forwards with a superb rolling maul off a well caught line out by second row Keir.

Ashmole fly half Thienus was, as in the Semi Final in superb kicking form, and the score could have looked a little more comfortably had two not hit the post and bounced back into play, it seems luck has been with Hemel in all aspects this year.

In the second half his technical kicking shown through and he continued to pin Hemel in their own half and run the clock down.

As mentioned earlier the Ashmole defence was outstanding, from covering tackles by the back row in their own twenty two to big hits in the midfield by centres James and Johan, there was no area of the pitch that Hemel looked like exposing.

On more than one occasion Ashmole could have killed the game off, strong runs from winger Dan and full back (skipper) Neil Granger however ended in disappointment.

If there was any area of the game that Ashmole could have improved on it was support play, on more than one occasion players found themselves isolated and gave away penalties for holding on, which is largely where Hemel recovered their points from.

The fans who travelled to support their club could hardly contain their emotions as, with the ball only needing to go dead, Dan misjudged his grubber and sliced it into open play, but thankfully a good chase from second half substitute Phil finally allowed the referee to call time. The supporters were euphoric and deservedly so, the team owed much to their nomadic supporters, a true club victory.

In conclusion the game was perfectly summed up by the referee, “Ashmole were more disciplined and street wise”.

Ashmole knew the game they wanted to play, proving they had done their homework on their opposition and seeing out the game in a well executed professional manner.

This victory does not give them the double they had hoped for it is a nice little sweetener to the bitter pill they have been forced to swallow in the league.

So whilst other clubs are now preparing for the summer break Ashmole began their promotion battle against Uxbridge. A win would continue their against the odds league hopping, bring it on!


	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 Semi Final Chess Valley RFC 7 - 63 Old Ashmolean RFC County vase semi final So it was back, Sunday rugby and a cup where you play a one game (semi) and then are rewarded by being in the final! Old foes met once more in Rickmansworth, as this was a repeat of the semi two years ago in the same competition. On that occasion Chess were the team in a better league position and ashmole were just starting to make their name as giant killers and league hoppers. Its different now. Ashmole fly high at the top of the league, a league which chess are in but have settled for stability. This game was started finished and maintained with Ashmole in pretty dominant form. The moles have flattered to deceive of late as several performances have been slightly below par and the competitiveness of a tougher league has hit the squad hard. They well and truly bounced back and played some highly attractive rugby which made then well deserved of their large tally and win. Points flowed relatively consistently through the game, although Chess's defence was stout. It wasn't that chess were lacking in bravery or want, just that they were consistently out thought by the moles. Ash rediscovered their attacking flair, linking backs and forwards during several champagne moves which delighted 70% of the crowd. Added to their tries, the Ashmole fly half found tremendous form, converting all but one of his attempts. The Chess try was the one blot on the copy book. Following a penalty, they drove a lineout and after the ref (who had a surprisingly competent game) had pinged the moles for pulling down, they tapped quickly and caught Ashmole knapping. Special mentions in this game go to Newman, who played out of position and full back and showed the knowledge and experience of a Fred Colbourne and the pace and skill level of a Dennis Dodd! Superb performance. Grainger and Morgan showed that they are capable of forging a competent centre partnership, while the forwards to a man performed with endeavour and skill. Surging runs from Spies and Miller, were complemented by the support play of their fellow fatties! This sets up a final against Hemel, who unsurprisingly for this competition are yet to play. Should be a close battle, which the moles will be confident of running very very close. HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY PRESIDENTS TROPHY FINAL VS HEMEL HAMPSTEAD 2ND APRIL 2006 RESULT 16-12 Well lets get it out of the way before we start on the match, yes ! Hemel won the league on a ridiculous technicality but that is just the way the cookie crumbles and whilst Ashmole have every right to feel hard done by they are bigger and better than that. While Hemel will celebrate a league title they didn't deserve, all the football style chanting their fans churn out will not disperse that deep down feeling that they got lucky and this game would prove that to them and the entire county! With the two league games ending one a piece this was quite literally the decider, although the cup final would have no bearing on the league standing it would certainly mean a hell of a lot more to both clubs as they knew the importance of the win. It was not about the trophy or the silver winners cup, this was about making it 2-1 for the season and although neither side would admit it, it would show who was the better side and the true champions. With the prologue out the way lets focus on what was an absolutely excellent game of rugby and a true advert for the sport. It naturally started extremely tense with Hemel flying out of the traps and catching Ashmole a little cold, with the young Ashmole side having many players playing in their first final. However the defence started immensely and would continue in that vein throughout the entire game. The more experienced Hemel side playing in the second consecutive final rarely troubled the Ashmole try line, finding it extremely frustrating to break their opposition down and they began to show their ill discipline. The two early league matches had been fiery encounters but on both occasions there was a definite lack of strong refereeing but we certainly had that today and Hemel would continue to push his patience and were fortunate not have a player sin binned. With the wind largely behind them in the first half Hemel slotted home several penalties including those from distance. Ashmole however played a well structured style and with the aid of their hugely improved pack, albeit re-shuffled due to injury, they edged their way up the pitch and found themselves able to obliterate the Hemel forwards with a superb rolling maul off a well caught line out by second row Keir. The try was scored by hooker VET Fanie who crashed over from close range. Ashmole fly half Thienus was, as in the Semi Final in superb kicking form, and the score could have looked a little more comfortably had two not hit the post and bounced back into play, it seems luck has been with Hemel in all aspects this year. In the second half his technical kicking shown through and he continued to pin Hemel in their own half and run the clock down. As mentioned earlier the Ashmole defence was outstanding, from covering tackles by the back row in their own twenty two to big hits in the midfield by centres James and Johan, there was no area of the pitch that Hemel looked like exposing. On more than one occasion Ashmole could have killed the game off, strong runs from winger Dan and full back (skipper) Neil Granger however ended in disappointment. If there was any area of the game that Ashmole could have improved on it was support play, on more than one occasion players found themselves isolated and gave away penalties for holding on, which is largely where Hemel recovered their points from. The fans who travelled to support their club could hardly contain their emotions as, with the ball only needing to go dead, Dan misjudged his grubber and sliced it into open play, but thankfully a good chase from second half substitute Phil finally allowed the referee to call time. The supporters were euphoric and deservedly so, the team owed much to their nomadic supporters, a true club victory. In conclusion the game was perfectly summed up by the referee, “Ashmole were more disciplined and street wise”. Ashmole knew the game they wanted to play, proving they had done their homework on their opposition and seeing out the game in a well executed professional manner. This victory does not give them the double they had hoped for it is a nice little sweetener to the bitter pill they have been forced to swallow in the league. So whilst other clubs are now preparing for the summer break Ashmole began their promotion battle against Uxbridge. A win would continue their against the odds league hopping, bring it on!