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Sat 13 Feb 2016 · London 2 South East
Ashford
1st XV
3
25
Borough Secure Bonus point win at Ashford.
Ian GEERING14 Feb 2016 - 09:37
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An important result takes us clear of Thanet Wanderers RFC, and closer to Hove RFC making the next few weeks even more interesting......
Having played just two games this year Crowborough resumed their season anxious to revive their flagging season. Last Saturday they travelled to fellow strugglers Ashford where four points was an absolute must for the Sussex side, if they were to start to distance themselves from the other two sides below them.
With injuries playing their part in selection and several players starting their gap year down under, it was a much changed side that ran out onto a remarkably firm Ashford pitch in spite of the morning’s downpour.
It was a welcome return for Andy Walters whose ferreting abrasiveness has been sorely missed, and with “two” first choice hookers side lined with severely broken legs, Callum Main slotted in at hooker and was to prove to be a revelation in the position.
Although ‘Boro started with determination, their lack of game time; unfamiliarity with the line-up and a slippery ball saw promising moves stall. Tom Kent featured in these early encounters, taking the ball into juddering contact, driving back the Ashford defence.
The first score came from an initial Ashford attack, that was thwarted by a Andy Walters tackle. The dropped ball was fly hacked up field by Chris Yates and fielded by the Ashford full back, who mistakenly thought he could outrun the chasing Sean Derrick. Tackled in front of his posts and with little support the penalty was given away and slotted by Chris Yates to open the score.0-3
Ashford equalised moments later when Crowborough were pinged for not releasing the tackled man.3-3
From the restart Matt Botterman took the kick on the full at speed and with his high stepping run breezed through several ineffectual tackles covering forty metes before being halted. From the resulting ruck Ben Searle released his backs that saw Tom Burgess brought down ten metres from the Ashford line where ‘Boro were awarded a penalty for not releasing the tackled man. Ignoring the three points ‘Boro elected for a scrum, which a quick strike by Callum Main gave Ben Searles time to send the ball wide. Chris Yates arrived late into the line to make the extra man, and put Tom Boddy away into the corner for a well worked try. The kick was short. 3-8 Half Time
Crowborough continued to show enterprise, but the increased rain and the slickness of the ball, caused off-loads to spill or passes to go astray. With belated awareness they changed tactics to keeping the ball tight, where the lighter but more technically aware ‘Boro front row had the advantage. This brought ‘Boro’s next score when Nick Hill , Matt Botterman and Andy Walters combined to take the ball deep into the Ashford 22.
When the maul broke down the Boro scrum held firm and put on the shove that kept the opposition back row bound in. Ben Searle saw his chance and picked up from the base, sliding down the narrow channel and drawing the defence before off- loading to the supporting Sean Derrick to score between the sticks for a Chris Yates converted try. 3-15
From the restart Matt Botterman, who really seemed to be relishing this return to action, took the ball at pace intimidating the defence that open up a channel leading deep into Ashford territory. A series of pick and drives resulted in a scrum five metres out and now with the ‘Boro pack dominating at will, as the shove came on Tom Kent picked up at the base and crashed over for the unconverted try.3-20
This was to be Kent’s last act of the afternoon, as he was replaced by debutant Archie Mayo, who contributed straight from his introduction and from first impressions will surely be a regular squad member. Harry Slatter and Andy Orchard came on late to replace Andy Walters and Nick Hill after a job well done by both players.
With the fourth bonus point try of paramount importance, Crowborough continued to pile on the pressure, and when Ben Searle broke down the blind side late in the fourth quarter, his chip forward down the tramlines was latched onto by the ever aware, and leading try scorer, Sean Derrick who slid over the line to take the all-important maximum five points.3-25
With Thanet Wanderers taking a losing bonus point, just five points separate the two sides making it so important that ‘Boro get positive results in each of their remaining games.
With injuries playing their part in selection and several players starting their gap year down under, it was a much changed side that ran out onto a remarkably firm Ashford pitch in spite of the morning’s downpour.
It was a welcome return for Andy Walters whose ferreting abrasiveness has been sorely missed, and with “two” first choice hookers side lined with severely broken legs, Callum Main slotted in at hooker and was to prove to be a revelation in the position.
Although ‘Boro started with determination, their lack of game time; unfamiliarity with the line-up and a slippery ball saw promising moves stall. Tom Kent featured in these early encounters, taking the ball into juddering contact, driving back the Ashford defence.
The first score came from an initial Ashford attack, that was thwarted by a Andy Walters tackle. The dropped ball was fly hacked up field by Chris Yates and fielded by the Ashford full back, who mistakenly thought he could outrun the chasing Sean Derrick. Tackled in front of his posts and with little support the penalty was given away and slotted by Chris Yates to open the score.0-3
Ashford equalised moments later when Crowborough were pinged for not releasing the tackled man.3-3
From the restart Matt Botterman took the kick on the full at speed and with his high stepping run breezed through several ineffectual tackles covering forty metes before being halted. From the resulting ruck Ben Searle released his backs that saw Tom Burgess brought down ten metres from the Ashford line where ‘Boro were awarded a penalty for not releasing the tackled man. Ignoring the three points ‘Boro elected for a scrum, which a quick strike by Callum Main gave Ben Searles time to send the ball wide. Chris Yates arrived late into the line to make the extra man, and put Tom Boddy away into the corner for a well worked try. The kick was short. 3-8 Half Time
Crowborough continued to show enterprise, but the increased rain and the slickness of the ball, caused off-loads to spill or passes to go astray. With belated awareness they changed tactics to keeping the ball tight, where the lighter but more technically aware ‘Boro front row had the advantage. This brought ‘Boro’s next score when Nick Hill , Matt Botterman and Andy Walters combined to take the ball deep into the Ashford 22.
When the maul broke down the Boro scrum held firm and put on the shove that kept the opposition back row bound in. Ben Searle saw his chance and picked up from the base, sliding down the narrow channel and drawing the defence before off- loading to the supporting Sean Derrick to score between the sticks for a Chris Yates converted try. 3-15
From the restart Matt Botterman, who really seemed to be relishing this return to action, took the ball at pace intimidating the defence that open up a channel leading deep into Ashford territory. A series of pick and drives resulted in a scrum five metres out and now with the ‘Boro pack dominating at will, as the shove came on Tom Kent picked up at the base and crashed over for the unconverted try.3-20
This was to be Kent’s last act of the afternoon, as he was replaced by debutant Archie Mayo, who contributed straight from his introduction and from first impressions will surely be a regular squad member. Harry Slatter and Andy Orchard came on late to replace Andy Walters and Nick Hill after a job well done by both players.
With the fourth bonus point try of paramount importance, Crowborough continued to pile on the pressure, and when Ben Searle broke down the blind side late in the fourth quarter, his chip forward down the tramlines was latched onto by the ever aware, and leading try scorer, Sean Derrick who slid over the line to take the all-important maximum five points.3-25
With Thanet Wanderers taking a losing bonus point, just five points separate the two sides making it so important that ‘Boro get positive results in each of their remaining games.
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