Saracens Ams

Saracens Ams

4th December 2004

Herts/Middx North 3 Vs Saracens Amateurs (away)

Result = 10-16

It had been a mixed couple of weeks for the champions, defeat in the national cup was a big blow but their victory over Hendon in the league meant they were still the team to catch. Saracens Amateurs were considered a real threat, a bit of an unknown quantity and a team that could challenge for the title.

OA's still had an under strength side, with a few late absentees, Prop Jacob was unfortunately the most notable. They also had a couple of players returning from injuries and suspensions, it was still however a very different side with players such a Paul Granger (brother of Neal) making the step up from the second team to help fill the gaps.

It was a very lively start from both teams but it was Ashmole who took the lead with an early penalty from Andy Martin followed by a try from winger Mark Smith who had done brilliantly to catch a low pass given by hooker Johan on the blind side.

Saracens were a young side and they found it very difficult to contend with the aggressive rucking from the Ashmole forwards and in the desperate attempt to give as good as they got they inadvertently gave away penalties and eventually their number 4 saw the yellow card.

They did however fight back with a penalty of their own and in the second half scrum half Emile took the wrong decision to kick ahead as it was charged down just inside the OA's twenty two and lead directly to a Saracens try.

Saracens now felt they had a chance to win the game and to be fair it was very even, the disjointed/re-shuffled Ashmole team found it difficult to conjure up any real penetrating moves. It was only their tireless rucking and mauling that over powered the Saracens pack and despite having Dan Doherty sin binned for a late tackle another impressive kicking display from Andy meant that two further penalties towards the end of the game was enough to win it.

It was not a pretty game, in fact the only real spectacle for the supporters was a brilliant free flowing exchange of passes between 3 or 4 Ashmole players which got them from their own half to just five metres short of the opposition try line. The move was started by a brave turn over, Peter Duffy had stripped the ball from a ruck and blind side flanker Tarron spun the ball to Emile. He released Johan from which a succession of passes involving wing replacement Dave Mills lead them in to the Saracens twenty-two and it only stopped short of being a try after the referee spotted some crossing.

It was an important win for Ashmole who remain unbeaten in the league this year, in fact the last team to beat them in the league was Hackney at the start of last season and with Hackney looming next week lets hope there are no slip ups.

Emile will be hoping for a better number of players available for that one, but at least he can take courage from the fact that his squad players can always grind out the important results.

A quick special thanks to Matt Hunter for doing the last two match reports and a goodbye to both Stoney and Gert who have now departed for S.A. and will be sorely missed, thanks and good luck.

Scorers = Mark Smith

Cons/Pens = Andyx1(cons), x3(pens)


	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 Saracens Ams 4th December 2004 Herts/Middx North 3 Vs Saracens Amateurs (away) Result = 10-16 It had been a mixed couple of weeks for the champions, defeat in the national cup was a big blow but their victory over Hendon in the league meant they were still the team to catch. Saracens Amateurs were considered a real threat, a bit of an unknown quantity and a team that could challenge for the title. OA's still had an under strength side, with a few late absentees, Prop Jacob was unfortunately the most notable. They also had a couple of players returning from injuries and suspensions, it was still however a very different side with players such a Paul Granger (brother of Neal) making the step up from the second team to help fill the gaps. It was a very lively start from both teams but it was Ashmole who took the lead with an early penalty from Andy Martin followed by a try from winger Mark Smith who had done brilliantly to catch a low pass given by hooker Johan on the blind side. Saracens were a young side and they found it very difficult to contend with the aggressive rucking from the Ashmole forwards and in the desperate attempt to give as good as they got they inadvertently gave away penalties and eventually their number 4 saw the yellow card. They did however fight back with a penalty of their own and in the second half scrum half Emile took the wrong decision to kick ahead as it was charged down just inside the OA's twenty two and lead directly to a Saracens try. Saracens now felt they had a chance to win the game and to be fair it was very even, the disjointed/re-shuffled Ashmole team found it difficult to conjure up any real penetrating moves. It was only their tireless rucking and mauling that over powered the Saracens pack and despite having Dan Doherty sin binned for a late tackle another impressive kicking display from Andy meant that two further penalties towards the end of the game was enough to win it. It was not a pretty game, in fact the only real spectacle for the supporters was a brilliant free flowing exchange of passes between 3 or 4 Ashmole players which got them from their own half to just five metres short of the opposition try line. The move was started by a brave turn over, Peter Duffy had stripped the ball from a ruck and blind side flanker Tarron spun the ball to Emile. He released Johan from which a succession of passes involving wing replacement Dave Mills lead them in to the Saracens twenty-two and it only stopped short of being a try after the referee spotted some crossing. It was an important win for Ashmole who remain unbeaten in the league this year, in fact the last team to beat them in the league was Hackney at the start of last season and with Hackney looming next week lets hope there are no slip ups. Emile will be hoping for a better number of players available for that one, but at least he can take courage from the fact that his squad players can always grind out the important results. A quick special thanks to Matt Hunter for doing the last two match reports and a goodbye to both Stoney and Gert who have now departed for S.A. and will be sorely missed, thanks and good luck. Scorers = Mark Smith Cons/Pens = Andyx1(cons), x3(pens)