Letchworth

Letchworth

30th October 2004

Friendly Vs Letchworth (2nd team) (home)

Result = 69-5

With the third round of the cup only a week away Ashmole were in need of a tough match so they could evaluate what standard they were at. It would be no good going into the Harrow game with a false sense of security so Letchworth were the ideal opposition. The same fixture last year produced one of OA's hardest games and with the injury list seemingly growing it was the opportunity they needed to test themselves.

Ashmole were boosted by the return of centre James but it only filled the vacant hole left by the now injured Dan, it appeared that OA's were to be struck by this bad luck forever, no sooner has a player recovered from injury as another one is added to the list. Today's game was no different, number 8 Tarron suffered a bad shoulder injury and looks unlikely to make it in time for the cup game.

The first ten minutes of this match was a grueling battle for territory and dominance between the two sets of forwards, OA's recent poor scrummaging would need to drastically improve if they were to make any dent in the large Letchworth pack, the good news was the come back of hooker Craig, and as it panned out his return proved crucial.

Craig was able, with the help of a hard working pack to steal several balls against the head and as the game established a pattern it became obvious that the Ashmole backs had a clear advantage over there opponents, thanks largely to the platform the forwards were beginning to make.

It was not long before OA's found the gaps and as hard as Letchworth fought upfront it was the Ashmole backs that began to kill the game off, the first half ended 21-5 and you felt that the tide of the game was in OA's favour.

As the second half progressed Letchworth began to fade away and OA's put on an absolutely outstanding display, scoring an awesome 48 points, and stunning a side not used to such a beating and putting out a big wake up call to the rest of Hertfordshire.

The pace with which Ashmole played the game was quite astonishing and it makes you wonder why it has taken seven games for them to finally play the type of rugby that we know they are capable of.

It was by far and away OA's best display and they showed a huge amount of improvement in all areas, and it could not have come at a better time.

The centre partnership of Johan (Dronkie) and James looked impressive as did winger Damian who again added to his list of tries along with Jacob (Bollie) who stood out as one of the best players on the day, always smashing his way through several tackles and causing the Letchworth players no end of grief. He will be sadly missed next week.

Emile and the club will be keeping their fingers crossed for a full compliment of players and a full week of training with the entire team present which so far this season as been a rarity.

Harrow will certainly have there work cut out next week, there may be a large league gap, but the Ashmole desire to succeed will take some beating, you could see in the eyes of there players that when the big games come they know how to raise the level.

Scorers = James, Paul Coombes, Jan, Johanx2, Jabez, Damianx2, Emile, Jacobx2

Conversions/Pens = Andy consx7


	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 Letchworth 30th October 2004 Friendly Vs Letchworth (2nd team) (home) Result = 69-5 With the third round of the cup only a week away Ashmole were in need of a tough match so they could evaluate what standard they were at. It would be no good going into the Harrow game with a false sense of security so Letchworth were the ideal opposition. The same fixture last year produced one of OA's hardest games and with the injury list seemingly growing it was the opportunity they needed to test themselves. Ashmole were boosted by the return of centre James but it only filled the vacant hole left by the now injured Dan, it appeared that OA's were to be struck by this bad luck forever, no sooner has a player recovered from injury as another one is added to the list. Today's game was no different, number 8 Tarron suffered a bad shoulder injury and looks unlikely to make it in time for the cup game. The first ten minutes of this match was a grueling battle for territory and dominance between the two sets of forwards, OA's recent poor scrummaging would need to drastically improve if they were to make any dent in the large Letchworth pack, the good news was the come back of hooker Craig, and as it panned out his return proved crucial. Craig was able, with the help of a hard working pack to steal several balls against the head and as the game established a pattern it became obvious that the Ashmole backs had a clear advantage over there opponents, thanks largely to the platform the forwards were beginning to make. It was not long before OA's found the gaps and as hard as Letchworth fought upfront it was the Ashmole backs that began to kill the game off, the first half ended 21-5 and you felt that the tide of the game was in OA's favour. As the second half progressed Letchworth began to fade away and OA's put on an absolutely outstanding display, scoring an awesome 48 points, and stunning a side not used to such a beating and putting out a big wake up call to the rest of Hertfordshire. The pace with which Ashmole played the game was quite astonishing and it makes you wonder why it has taken seven games for them to finally play the type of rugby that we know they are capable of. It was by far and away OA's best display and they showed a huge amount of improvement in all areas, and it could not have come at a better time. The centre partnership of Johan (Dronkie) and James looked impressive as did winger Damian who again added to his list of tries along with Jacob (Bollie) who stood out as one of the best players on the day, always smashing his way through several tackles and causing the Letchworth players no end of grief. He will be sadly missed next week. Emile and the club will be keeping their fingers crossed for a full compliment of players and a full week of training with the entire team present which so far this season as been a rarity. Harrow will certainly have there work cut out next week, there may be a large league gap, but the Ashmole desire to succeed will take some beating, you could see in the eyes of there players that when the big games come they know how to raise the level. Scorers = James, Paul Coombes, Jan, Johanx2, Jabez, Damianx2, Emile, Jacobx2 Conversions/Pens = Andy consx7