Ilford

Ilford

16th October 2004

National Cup 2nd Round Vs Ilford Wanderers (home)

Result = 25-22

After an unconvincing display yet an impressive result all the same in the 1st round, Ashmole were looking to take advantage of the counties decision to expel Tring.

Although it would still be a difficult game against another Essex side three leagues above, there was no hiding from the fact that this was an easier match than the one originally carded.

Ashmole were boosted by the return of Jabez (Stoney), but had to make do with a make shift back line due to the late injuries to fly half Neal Granger and James Morgan who injured his knee in the warm up.

It was a very difficult start for the home side who were put under immediate pressure by the Ilford pack. It was obvious from the first scrum that there was a distinct weight and experience advantage in favour of the traveling side and this put OA's on the back foot immediately and made it a tough day for the Ashmole back line who had to make do with very little clean ball.

Ilford struck several times in the first half as OA's struggled to overcome there oppositions dominance in all areas of the pitch. It really was only the line outs where Ashmole had any chance of giving the backs an opportunity to run some moves, and the encouraging thing was the impressive running of centre Johan (Dronkie) who broke his opposite numbers tackle every time.

At the half time break Ilford led 18-6 and to say that there was a mountain to climb for the home side would have been an understatement.

The second half started the way the first half ended, but as the forty minutes ticked away OA's fitness began to tell and their resilience and stubbornness took its toll on the visitors who struggled to match Ashmole's heart and determination.

The tough Ilford defence finally gave way twice, with the second being another solo effort from John Bremner who pounced onto a tap back from Gert after an inventive up and under from full back Jabez (Stoney). Ilford however managed to claw their lead back with twenty minutes to go after they were awarded a penalty try following scrum half Emile's yellow card for continued flouting off-side (although that is a touch debatable).

As Ashmole pressed for a winning try, tempers frayed and OA's number 8 Tarron and Iflord number 6 were sent off rather harshly following some handbags during a ruck.

Within minutes of the sending off, Emile returned to the pitch and helped to score the winning try, and although the fans waited with baited breath as Ilford missed a last minute penalty OA's held out for a well deserved and hard fought victory.

Scorers = Damian, John Bremner, Jabez (stoney)

Conversions/Pens = Andy consx2, pensx2


	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 Ilford 16th October 2004 National Cup 2nd Round Vs Ilford Wanderers (home) Result = 25-22 After an unconvincing display yet an impressive result all the same in the 1st round, Ashmole were looking to take advantage of the counties decision to expel Tring. Although it would still be a difficult game against another Essex side three leagues above, there was no hiding from the fact that this was an easier match than the one originally carded. Ashmole were boosted by the return of Jabez (Stoney), but had to make do with a make shift back line due to the late injuries to fly half Neal Granger and James Morgan who injured his knee in the warm up. It was a very difficult start for the home side who were put under immediate pressure by the Ilford pack. It was obvious from the first scrum that there was a distinct weight and experience advantage in favour of the traveling side and this put OA's on the back foot immediately and made it a tough day for the Ashmole back line who had to make do with very little clean ball. Ilford struck several times in the first half as OA's struggled to overcome there oppositions dominance in all areas of the pitch. It really was only the line outs where Ashmole had any chance of giving the backs an opportunity to run some moves, and the encouraging thing was the impressive running of centre Johan (Dronkie) who broke his opposite numbers tackle every time. At the half time break Ilford led 18-6 and to say that there was a mountain to climb for the home side would have been an understatement. The second half started the way the first half ended, but as the forty minutes ticked away OA's fitness began to tell and their resilience and stubbornness took its toll on the visitors who struggled to match Ashmole's heart and determination. The tough Ilford defence finally gave way twice, with the second being another solo effort from John Bremner who pounced onto a tap back from Gert after an inventive up and under from full back Jabez (Stoney). Ilford however managed to claw their lead back with twenty minutes to go after they were awarded a penalty try following scrum half Emile's yellow card for continued flouting off-side (although that is a touch debatable). As Ashmole pressed for a winning try, tempers frayed and OA's number 8 Tarron and Iflord number 6 were sent off rather harshly following some handbags during a ruck. Within minutes of the sending off, Emile returned to the pitch and helped to score the winning try, and although the fans waited with baited breath as Ilford missed a last minute penalty OA's held out for a well deserved and hard fought victory. Scorers = Damian, John Bremner, Jabez (stoney) Conversions/Pens = Andy consx2, pensx2