Hemel

Hemel

12th February 2005

County Cup 1st Round Vs Hemel Hampstead

Result = H.Hampstead 13 - 7 OA's

Ashmole went into this game full of hope, last years losing finalists could be forgiven for thinking they had a chance to reach the final again, Hemel Hampstead however would have other ideas.

The home side, two leagues above their opponents must have prayed for the rain that the weathermen had been promising as right on queue the heavens opened much to OA's dislike.

Hemel Hampstead kicked off into the wind and OA's immediately used it to their advantage kicking themselves into Hemel's twenty two. As the rain poured down OA's struggled to hold possession, the conditions were making it very difficult for Ashmole to play their normal fluid attacking rugby.

As OA's struggled to get into the game, Hemel struck the first early blow following a rather fortuitous try. Hemel's scrum half chipped a box kick from within the OA's twenty two and as the blind side broke from the scrum to charge it down the ball clipped his fingers and bounced awkwardly into the in goal area deceiving the winger and allowing Hemel to dive onto the ball for the opening try.

It was a real blow for Ashmole, but in true style they came fighting back, number 8 Seve breaking the defensive tackles to score from 3 yards out following a well orcastrated penalty move that was started by prop Peter Duffy.

The scores reflected an even game at this point but you still felt that Hemel had done their homework and knew exactly how to shut OA's out of the game.

Ashmole failed to use the wind effectively in the first half and would have an up hill battle come the second forty minutes, Hemel had a clear game plan and they were sticking to it with impressive determination.

The many watching fans who braved the torrential weather were beginning to wonder if they were watching Ashmole at all. OA's were unrecognisable, they were unable to put any moves or phases together without spilling the ball or being penalised by the whistle happy referee. Hemel were able to keep the normally so dominant big game Ashmole players completely quiet, OA's best player was by far Seve, not only for his try but for his general effort and commitment. Hemel scored their second and penultimate try following a good catch and drive, mid way through the second half, it was enough to give them victory and take them into the next round.

It was not to be OA's day, even playing as badly as they did there are not many sides in Herts who would have beaten them. Today however it was very obvious that Ashmole were battling against a team of 16, in my opinion the referee quite clearly favoured the home side and his knowledge, especially of front row play was particularly poor.

Regardless of the unavoidable weather conditions and the referee's decisions Ashmole should still not have lost this game, it is a blip in their otherwise unblemished season and they will be looking to show their bouncebackability in the league when it reconvenes in a few weeks time.

Ashmole as a club were devastated by the result, they have worked so hard over the last few years with very little reward from the County and they truly believed this could have been their year for cup success. With such a young side however I am sure they will get many more chances to challenge in this competition.

Finally a thank you from the players to Stuart Lawrence who came out to help the team in their hour of need, playing full back in Andy's absence.

Scorers: Seve

Cons/Pens: Stuart Lawrence consx1


	Top Scorers 2004/5 SEASON \| Hendon \| Totts \| Saracens Ams \| Ignations \| Woodford \| Hemel \| Watford \| Totts \| Hackney \| Saracens Ams \| Hendon \| Harrow \| Letchworth \| Watford \| Ilford \| Hatfield \| Upper Clapton \| West London \| Mill Hill \| Aylestone Hemel 12th February 2005 County Cup 1st Round Vs Hemel Hampstead Result = H.Hampstead 13 - 7 OA's Ashmole went into this game full of hope, last years losing finalists could be forgiven for thinking they had a chance to reach the final again, Hemel Hampstead however would have other ideas. The home side, two leagues above their opponents must have prayed for the rain that the weathermen had been promising as right on queue the heavens opened much to OA's dislike. Hemel Hampstead kicked off into the wind and OA's immediately used it to their advantage kicking themselves into Hemel's twenty two. As the rain poured down OA's struggled to hold possession, the conditions were making it very difficult for Ashmole to play their normal fluid attacking rugby. As OA's struggled to get into the game, Hemel struck the first early blow following a rather fortuitous try. Hemel's scrum half chipped a box kick from within the OA's twenty two and as the blind side broke from the scrum to charge it down the ball clipped his fingers and bounced awkwardly into the in goal area deceiving the winger and allowing Hemel to dive onto the ball for the opening try. It was a real blow for Ashmole, but in true style they came fighting back, number 8 Seve breaking the defensive tackles to score from 3 yards out following a well orcastrated penalty move that was started by prop Peter Duffy. The scores reflected an even game at this point but you still felt that Hemel had done their homework and knew exactly how to shut OA's out of the game. Ashmole failed to use the wind effectively in the first half and would have an up hill battle come the second forty minutes, Hemel had a clear game plan and they were sticking to it with impressive determination. The many watching fans who braved the torrential weather were beginning to wonder if they were watching Ashmole at all. OA's were unrecognisable, they were unable to put any moves or phases together without spilling the ball or being penalised by the whistle happy referee. Hemel were able to keep the normally so dominant big game Ashmole players completely quiet, OA's best player was by far Seve, not only for his try but for his general effort and commitment. Hemel scored their second and penultimate try following a good catch and drive, mid way through the second half, it was enough to give them victory and take them into the next round. It was not to be OA's day, even playing as badly as they did there are not many sides in Herts who would have beaten them. Today however it was very obvious that Ashmole were battling against a team of 16, in my opinion the referee quite clearly favoured the home side and his knowledge, especially of front row play was particularly poor. Regardless of the unavoidable weather conditions and the referee's decisions Ashmole should still not have lost this game, it is a blip in their otherwise unblemished season and they will be looking to show their bouncebackability in the league when it reconvenes in a few weeks time. Ashmole as a club were devastated by the result, they have worked so hard over the last few years with very little reward from the County and they truly believed this could have been their year for cup success. With such a young side however I am sure they will get many more chances to challenge in this competition. Finally a thank you from the players to Stuart Lawrence who came out to help the team in their hour of need, playing full back in Andy's absence. Scorers: Seve Cons/Pens: Stuart Lawrence consx1