Hackney

Hackney

11th December 2004

Herts/Middx North 3 Vs Hackney (Home)

Result = 99-0

Ashmole are currently unbeaten in the league for over a year, in fact the last side to beat them was Hackney over 12 months ago. So this had the potential to be a real banana skin, but on paper you had to say that OA's looked clear favourites. The other game of the day involved the battle for second with Hendon taking on Saracens who have both lost this season to Ashmole but who would feel that the winner would probably be OA's closest challenger for top spot.

The game started brightly from an Ashmole point of view with an early catch and drive being held up just on the try line following some excellent work from front row Gareth.

It was another catch and drive that got the first try, second row Jacob rolling off well with flanker Tarron and breaking the Hackney fringe defence to score.

At first you felt that it might be a good forwards battle, but it soon became obvious that Ashmole had the upper hand and within ten minutes they had scored three times.

Johan had crashed through the Hackney defence twice in almost identical style, first to set up Emile and second time round to score himself.

Both had started following a secure catch from the kick off and fly half Neal Granger played a sweet inside ball to Johan on the crash, the support for both was good and you felt that OA's were back on form.

Ashmole finished the first half 59-0 up and for Hackney it is a no way back situation, the pattern of the game was very predictable, Ashmole secured ball from the kick off, set up with one or two phases and the back line broke the defence and scored.

Ashmole were almost back to there best it was largely thanks to the return of big players such as Jacob and Sevy, they were improved in all aspects other than the scrums where they still looked a little rusty.

Sevy had returned to the side following his absence last week and scored three tries to add to his total of four.

Former second team skipper Paul Stewart stepped in to replace injured hooker Craig and he marked his first start this year with a try, showing good strength and determination.

The game finished 99-0 and really was not much of a contest for the league leaders but it did mean that they finish the first half of the season on a high and with a 100% league record to sit comfortably on during the Christmas break.

First game back in the New Year is Pinner & Grammarians, a game that will not worry them but better teams have been known to relax after the time off and that is something they cannot afford to do. After the disastrous league restructure that so badly ill favoured Ashmole last year they do not need to give Hertfordshire RFU any reason not to allow them promotion this time round.

Scorers = Mark Smithx2, Neal Grangerx2, Andy Martinx2, Sevyx3, Johan, Emile, Paul Stewart, James Morgan, A.Player, Jacob

Cons/Pens = Andyx11, Johanx1


	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 Hackney 11th December 2004 Herts/Middx North 3 Vs Hackney (Home) Result = 99-0 Ashmole are currently unbeaten in the league for over a year, in fact the last side to beat them was Hackney over 12 months ago. So this had the potential to be a real banana skin, but on paper you had to say that OA's looked clear favourites. The other game of the day involved the battle for second with Hendon taking on Saracens who have both lost this season to Ashmole but who would feel that the winner would probably be OA's closest challenger for top spot. The game started brightly from an Ashmole point of view with an early catch and drive being held up just on the try line following some excellent work from front row Gareth. It was another catch and drive that got the first try, second row Jacob rolling off well with flanker Tarron and breaking the Hackney fringe defence to score. At first you felt that it might be a good forwards battle, but it soon became obvious that Ashmole had the upper hand and within ten minutes they had scored three times. Johan had crashed through the Hackney defence twice in almost identical style, first to set up Emile and second time round to score himself. Both had started following a secure catch from the kick off and fly half Neal Granger played a sweet inside ball to Johan on the crash, the support for both was good and you felt that OA's were back on form. Ashmole finished the first half 59-0 up and for Hackney it is a no way back situation, the pattern of the game was very predictable, Ashmole secured ball from the kick off, set up with one or two phases and the back line broke the defence and scored. Ashmole were almost back to there best it was largely thanks to the return of big players such as Jacob and Sevy, they were improved in all aspects other than the scrums where they still looked a little rusty. Sevy had returned to the side following his absence last week and scored three tries to add to his total of four. Former second team skipper Paul Stewart stepped in to replace injured hooker Craig and he marked his first start this year with a try, showing good strength and determination. The game finished 99-0 and really was not much of a contest for the league leaders but it did mean that they finish the first half of the season on a high and with a 100% league record to sit comfortably on during the Christmas break. First game back in the New Year is Pinner & Grammarians, a game that will not worry them but better teams have been known to relax after the time off and that is something they cannot afford to do. After the disastrous league restructure that so badly ill favoured Ashmole last year they do not need to give Hertfordshire RFU any reason not to allow them promotion this time round. Scorers = Mark Smithx2, Neal Grangerx2, Andy Martinx2, Sevyx3, Johan, Emile, Paul Stewart, James Morgan, A.Player, Jacob Cons/Pens = Andyx11, Johanx1