Totts

Totts

15th January 2005

Vs Old Tottonians (away) Friendly

Result 0-55

It had been nearly a month since Ashmole last played and after the disappointment of yet another cry off in the league by Pinner, they were itching to get on the field and pick up where they left off before Christmas. The games against Tottonians had always been a bit of a grudge match in the past and with them now being a league above it looked the ideal match that OA's needed to start the new year.

Ashmole were missing 6 or 7 normal 1st team players and given Totts current form and OA's lack of match practice there was a concern that the away side may struggle.

The game started brightly from both sides point of view but Ashmole soon commanded a clear advantage up front and it was not long before they had the opening try. The thought that Ashmole may struggle was soon abolished and it became clear that they had come here to win, and to win well.

Despite the home sides pack weight they were unable to contain the Ashmole forwards who bullied and dominated most areas of the game. Craig Payne was in particularly outstanding form, stealing several scrums against the head, which set up more than one brilliant-attacking platform for Neil Grainger and the quick back line.

Totts looked ineffective and struggled to make any real impression on the first half, Ashmole however were in a blistering attack minded mood and had a huge half time advantage.

Regardless of the score the Ashmole side looked more than a little rusty, at times the backs frustrated their hard working forwards with unnecessary mistakes and this was picked up by the injured on looking coach Emile.

By the end of the first half there was very little for Tottonians to play for other than pride, and a game that had promised so much again became very one sided. Ashmole needed only to smooth out their play for the second half to make it a really vintage performance against an old adversary.

The second half however did not follow the same pattern as the first, for the first 20 mins OA's looked abysmal, failing to make any real progress. Tottonians on the other hand looked on more than one occasion like scoring, aided largely by Ashmole errors, but falling short when it mattered.

OA's picked their game up for the last quarter, showing their ability to kill off the match with a brilliant line out move. Craig through a long over-throw straight into the arms of Fly Half Neil Grainger who side stepped his man and slid under the posts to land the final blow.

It showed just how many attacking options Ashmole can pull out and underlined the depth of their squad.

You have to wonder how many scalps they will take from higher placed sides before they are rewarded. Tottonians had no real reply to the sheer pace at which Ashmole played the game, but from an OA's point of view it was not pretty rugby and coach Emile had a very indifferent opinion about the result. Pleased with the score and yet another win, but he clearly identified the areas that they need to work on in training.

It was overall a sound performance and today's game saw good displays from the back row, Seve especially, scoring three tries. Rolly (Emile's replacement) who looked very comfortable with the players around him as though they had been together for years, Craig and Captain Neil Grainger who always strives to lead from the front. Coming up for OA's; Hatfield (League) & Hemel Hampstead (County Cup).

Scorers: Sevex3, James Morgan, Neil Grainger, Andy Martin, Johanx2, Craig Payne

Pens/Cons: Andy Martin Consx5


	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 Totts 15th January 2005 Vs Old Tottonians (away) Friendly Result 0-55 It had been nearly a month since Ashmole last played and after the disappointment of yet another cry off in the league by Pinner, they were itching to get on the field and pick up where they left off before Christmas. The games against Tottonians had always been a bit of a grudge match in the past and with them now being a league above it looked the ideal match that OA's needed to start the new year. Ashmole were missing 6 or 7 normal 1st team players and given Totts current form and OA's lack of match practice there was a concern that the away side may struggle. The game started brightly from both sides point of view but Ashmole soon commanded a clear advantage up front and it was not long before they had the opening try. The thought that Ashmole may struggle was soon abolished and it became clear that they had come here to win, and to win well. Despite the home sides pack weight they were unable to contain the Ashmole forwards who bullied and dominated most areas of the game. Craig Payne was in particularly outstanding form, stealing several scrums against the head, which set up more than one brilliant-attacking platform for Neil Grainger and the quick back line. Totts looked ineffective and struggled to make any real impression on the first half, Ashmole however were in a blistering attack minded mood and had a huge half time advantage. Regardless of the score the Ashmole side looked more than a little rusty, at times the backs frustrated their hard working forwards with unnecessary mistakes and this was picked up by the injured on looking coach Emile. By the end of the first half there was very little for Tottonians to play for other than pride, and a game that had promised so much again became very one sided. Ashmole needed only to smooth out their play for the second half to make it a really vintage performance against an old adversary. The second half however did not follow the same pattern as the first, for the first 20 mins OA's looked abysmal, failing to make any real progress. Tottonians on the other hand looked on more than one occasion like scoring, aided largely by Ashmole errors, but falling short when it mattered. OA's picked their game up for the last quarter, showing their ability to kill off the match with a brilliant line out move. Craig through a long over-throw straight into the arms of Fly Half Neil Grainger who side stepped his man and slid under the posts to land the final blow. It showed just how many attacking options Ashmole can pull out and underlined the depth of their squad. You have to wonder how many scalps they will take from higher placed sides before they are rewarded. Tottonians had no real reply to the sheer pace at which Ashmole played the game, but from an OA's point of view it was not pretty rugby and coach Emile had a very indifferent opinion about the result. Pleased with the score and yet another win, but he clearly identified the areas that they need to work on in training. It was overall a sound performance and today's game saw good displays from the back row, Seve especially, scoring three tries. Rolly (Emile's replacement) who looked very comfortable with the players around him as though they had been together for years, Craig and Captain Neil Grainger who always strives to lead from the front. Coming up for OA's; Hatfield (League) & Hemel Hampstead (County Cup). Scorers: Sevex3, James Morgan, Neil Grainger, Andy Martin, Johanx2, Craig Payne Pens/Cons: Andy Martin Consx5