The Match Report is by Graham Callard and our Referee today was James Goksaran from Sussex RFU.

The RFU agonised over whether rugby should be played on the weekend ultimately making the decision that it could. Clubs were advised to mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II appropriately. This was done at Steel Cross with an impeccably observed two minute silence with both teams wearing black armbands.
Ashford started much the stronger on the immaculately presented playing surface. Crowborough were forced onto the back foot having to defend resolutely for long periods. Conceding early penalties didn’t aid their cause. Ashford spilled a number of passes close to the line thus leaving the scoreboard redundant. Their inability to finish off attacks was compounded when Ashford’s No.8, Callum Stuckey dropped the ball over the line following a superb tackle from the ‘Borough defence. Despite losing influential outside half Will Blyth to injury early on Ashford continued to dominate both territory and possession.
Finally after 25 minutes of play Ashford broke the deadlock with a well taken try with wing Adam Lloyd going over wide out. Ben Gray added the conversion. 0-5.
The score prodded Crowborough into life with them at last having some possession to work with. Veteran Keith Brooker, drafted in at the last minute due to an injury to Luca Tonelli in the warm-up, kept the ball moving. Tom Kent and Skipper Alex Purnell were prominent ball carriers in support. Gradually Crowborough moved up the field keeping Ashford’s defence honest. It was Andrew Orchard crashing over in the corner that made the pressure tell on the 35 minute mark. Sadly the conversion was missed.
Just before half time Ashford extended their lead with Blyth slotting a penalty. This was cancelled out a few minutes later when Ollie Clinch added three points for ‘Borough right on the stroke of half-time. 8-10.
The second half started scrappily with both sides making mistakes and playing poorly. With 5 minutes of the half gone another penalty conceded by the home side allowed Ashford’s Blyth to extend the lead to 8-13. As was the case in the first half Ollie Clinch was quick to offset Ashford’s advantage with a sweetly struck kick to keep ‘Borough within 2 points of the visitors.
The game remained scrappy with too many mistakes and infringements. It was Ashford who were the better side however being quicker and more dominant at the breakdown and looking sharper across the field. It was no surprise that they eventually broke Crowborough’s resistance with a well worked try wide out, again by Lloyd, which with the conversion made the score 11-20.
Crowborough’s task was made harder with Alex Purnell having to leave the field injured and Ashford now eagerly exploiting our mistakes. It wasn’t all one way traffic with young Jonte Fraser at #10 for Crowborough playing well and doing his best to get the ball away from Ashford’s powerful forwards. Keith Brooker was next to leave the field injured with Ollie Clinch moving into the scrum half berth. He quickly established a good partnership with Jonte Fraser and at last we saw some cohesive back play from the home side. Rob Lester benefitting from quick ball went within metres of the try line. Sadly the move broke down with a misjudged kick ahead.
Ashford now clearly ahead in the contact area and having kept ‘Borough at bay went further ahead with the try of the day. The forwards and backs linked well with the wing making a break out wide then timing the pass inside perfectly for the fast charging Andrew Ticehurst to score under the posts. Matters were made worse with Ashford sending Crowborough deep into their own half. From the ensuing lineout Ashford crashed over for the bonus point try, the conversion took the score to 11-32.
Crowborough had the final word showing their metal with a consolation try late on through Will Creasy. The referee’s whistle brought the game to its conclusion, final score 18-32.
With Rob Lester limping off in the final minute, way too many penalties conceded and poor game management, the coaching team will have much to think about before Crowborough travel to Cranbrook on Saturday.