The 11th of the 11th, a day of reflection and thanks. Thanks to those who made the greatest of sacrifices in the battle to protect our freedoms. The two teams and the sizeable crowd stood in perfect silence to honour the fallen.
The Steel Cross pitch was in amazing condition and the sun came out to play too. The game started with a bang with Andy Kidd taking the kick off and powering deep into the Ashford half. From an ensuing penalty ‘Borough took a first minute lead through a well struck Jonte Fraser penalty. Within 5 minutes it was 3-3 after the Ashford fly half returned the compliment after a Crowborough indiscretion.
Despite a couple of changes due to injury and unavailability Crowborough were still were able to slowly but surely take control. We kept Ashford’s big and abrasive forwards at bay, and their hard running backs under pressure. The youngsters were playing with freedom with Sam Marchesi and Jonte Fraser at #9 and #10 controlling things like 15 year veterans.
With about 15 minutes gone an Ashford clearance kick was fielded well by ‘Borough with Harry Marchesi making space to free up Will Pitman who in turn kicked ahead. His blistering pace got him to the ball ahead of the would be defenders for an excellent try.
Ashford continued to play and Crowborough needed to have their A game defensively in full working order. ‘Borough weren’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination making basic mistakes when it mattered but they were the better side. It was the home side that got the scoreboard moving again with another penalty before a Harry Marchesi try stretched the lead. A long raking kick taking play close to the Ashford line. The visitors lost the lineout with the ball ultimately reaching Harry Marchesi for the score.
Ashford weren’t going to lie down and some of their play belied their mid-table position. Crowborough’s defence was immense but as the half ticked away the dam broke allowing Ashford to close the gap with an excellent team try finished off wide out by their pacy winger. The half closed 16-8.
The second half was controlled by us but Ashford also played some excellent rugby. Their lively scrum half and powerful No.8 kept us honest and kept their powerful backs supplied with ball. Our defence was immense and thwarted most attacks. Eventually as Ashford tired we began playing some excellent rugby with backs and forwards linking beautifully forcing gaps to open in the visitors defensive line. Rob Lester and Harry Marchesi kept probing but unfortunately the scoreboard remained unmoved.
As the game wore on we added the try of the game from Pitman wide out. Ashford down to 14 men after their second yellow card infringement were exposed by a superb training ground move executed with perfection. Refusing the easy three points the ball was moved into the back line where intricate running lines and spot on passing releasing Pitman into the corner. The Fraser conversion took the score to 23-8.
The referee was not shy in brandishing his cards with ‘Borough’s Sam Edwards spending 10 minutes on the naughty step for a high tackle. Ashford desperate to get something out of the game now had their most concerted period of pressure putting the home defence to the test once more. ‘Borough managed to weather the storm now looking to close out the game. The icing on the cake came as the late afternoon gloom was setting in. Will Creasy who had powered into the Ashford defensive line from minute one finally got his well deserved reward of a try to give us the important bonus point as the clock slowly ticked towards the 80 minute mark. Final score 28-8, and our 20th consecutive victory since the middle of last season.
This was a good game played for the most part in good spirit and wonderfully well refereed by David Harris of Sussex. We stay in second behind Canterbury II who we play on Saturday 18th November. Note: kick off is at 15:00.