Mersea Island

Mersea Island

The Old Ashmolean vs. Mersea Island

13 34

This game was thought by many to be a no lose situation for Ashmole, who were now certain to meet teams far higher than themselves on the league ladder, however thoughts of the team and coach were far more ambitious. Coach Emile Hertz firmly believes that Ashmole are good enough on their day to beat most sides and was confident of a positive result.

In team news: Gareth Harbour-Cooper was asked to prop again in the absence of Spies and McKleish, while brother Gavin was recalled to wing duties in the absence of Smith. A recall to the bench for Dave Mills and Ian Dodd assisted the injured Paul Coombs in rolling back the years, and meant that the Ashmole bench officially had the combined age of a T-Rex.

The opening stages of the game confirmed that if Ashmole were to progress further in this competition, it would need an almighty effort. With three or four key players absent and the undoubted strength of the opposition, it was clear that it would take one of the better performances from the moles.

Sadly this never really came. The Islanders opened the scoring early on after a neat chip from the visiting scrum-half found no one at home and forced the covering players to take the ball into touch. From the resulting lineout Mersea demonstrated a well drilled mauling game and after several short range efforts they forced the ball over. On a day when kickers seemed to struggle with their ball striking, Ashmole kicker Andy Martin had a couple of attempts before chipping away at the Mersea lead with two successful penalties either side of the Islander's second try. This came after some poor defence where the Ashmole backs uncharacteristically fell of some tackles and were generally disorganised.

The half ended with the score at 6 - 12. Considering Ashmole had struggled to string much together and had shown much of their best play on the back foot, this score line was very encouraging as spectators envisaged an improvement and the sheer endeavour of the home side had kept the game close. Unfortunately Ashmole did lose the services of hooker Payne, who had been one of the better players in the opening stanza, consistently turning ball over in the tackle. Silvester was to move to hooker and as would be seen, do an admirable job as deputy.

An improvement did come. Although Mersea Island continued to look powerful, especially in the tight, the Ashmole forwards showed excellent bouncebackability and came back with some impressive close quarter play of their own. This was encouraging to see, as it is often the Ashmole flamboyancy which puts Herts/ Midd 3 teams to the sword and it was good to see that when the sleeves need to be rolled, the Ashmole pack are capable. Despite this, Mersea did add to their try tally once more, and were seemingly in charge. However, the break of the game came just at the right time for the moles. Morgan appeared to make something from nothing and his deceptive pace and go faster mullet got him away from the defence for a 50 yard run. He beat the full- back and despite being halted just short of the line, found Damien in close support and the winger polished off Morgan's good work. Unfortunately being injured in the process, meant a break in play, which appeared to galvanise Mersea. In the final swing of the game the visitors came back strong, possibly spurred by the narrowing score line. The closing stages brought scores from Mersea Island which ended the game as a contest. On occasion, Ashmole where just found wanting. Having to defend for long periods of the game led to them tiring and Mersea did show that playing at a higher level week in week out definitely polishes the ability to seize opportunities. Overall, a slightly disappointing day. Spells of good Ashmole play between long periods of hard work. Although no huge class difference was evident Mersea Island were definitely deserving of their victory and left Ashmoleans thinking what could have been.

Tries: Damien

Cons: Andy Martin

Pens: Andy Martin (2)


	Top Scorers Hendon \| Mill Hill \| Hemel Hempstead \| Chess Valley \| Grammarians \| Old Haberdashers \| Royston \| Chelmsford \| Old Haberdashers \| Chess Valley Semi Final \| HERTS TROPHY CUP FINAL \| Mersea Island Mersea Island The Old Ashmolean vs. Mersea Island 13 34 This game was thought by many to be a no lose situation for Ashmole, who were now certain to meet teams far higher than themselves on the league ladder, however thoughts of the team and coach were far more ambitious. Coach Emile Hertz firmly believes that Ashmole are good enough on their day to beat most sides and was confident of a positive result. In team news: Gareth Harbour-Cooper was asked to prop again in the absence of Spies and McKleish, while brother Gavin was recalled to wing duties in the absence of Smith. A recall to the bench for Dave Mills and Ian Dodd assisted the injured Paul Coombs in rolling back the years, and meant that the Ashmole bench officially had the combined age of a T-Rex. The opening stages of the game confirmed that if Ashmole were to progress further in this competition, it would need an almighty effort. With three or four key players absent and the undoubted strength of the opposition, it was clear that it would take one of the better performances from the moles. Sadly this never really came. The Islanders opened the scoring early on after a neat chip from the visiting scrum-half found no one at home and forced the covering players to take the ball into touch. From the resulting lineout Mersea demonstrated a well drilled mauling game and after several short range efforts they forced the ball over. On a day when kickers seemed to struggle with their ball striking, Ashmole kicker Andy Martin had a couple of attempts before chipping away at the Mersea lead with two successful penalties either side of the Islander's second try. This came after some poor defence where the Ashmole backs uncharacteristically fell of some tackles and were generally disorganised. The half ended with the score at 6 - 12. Considering Ashmole had struggled to string much together and had shown much of their best play on the back foot, this score line was very encouraging as spectators envisaged an improvement and the sheer endeavour of the home side had kept the game close. Unfortunately Ashmole did lose the services of hooker Payne, who had been one of the better players in the opening stanza, consistently turning ball over in the tackle. Silvester was to move to hooker and as would be seen, do an admirable job as deputy. An improvement did come. Although Mersea Island continued to look powerful, especially in the tight, the Ashmole forwards showed excellent bouncebackability and came back with some impressive close quarter play of their own. This was encouraging to see, as it is often the Ashmole flamboyancy which puts Herts/ Midd 3 teams to the sword and it was good to see that when the sleeves need to be rolled, the Ashmole pack are capable. Despite this, Mersea did add to their try tally once more, and were seemingly in charge. However, the break of the game came just at the right time for the moles. Morgan appeared to make something from nothing and his deceptive pace and go faster mullet got him away from the defence for a 50 yard run. He beat the full- back and despite being halted just short of the line, found Damien in close support and the winger polished off Morgan's good work. Unfortunately being injured in the process, meant a break in play, which appeared to galvanise Mersea. In the final swing of the game the visitors came back strong, possibly spurred by the narrowing score line. The closing stages brought scores from Mersea Island which ended the game as a contest. On occasion, Ashmole where just found wanting. Having to defend for long periods of the game led to them tiring and Mersea did show that playing at a higher level week in week out definitely polishes the ability to seize opportunities. Overall, a slightly disappointing day. Spells of good Ashmole play between long periods of hard work. Although no huge class difference was evident Mersea Island were definitely deserving of their victory and left Ashmoleans thinking what could have been. Tries: Damien Cons: Andy Martin Pens: Andy Martin (2)