21st November 2009
Anchorians
II 12 Ashford II 5
This
was the first of a few fixtures that Anchs have arranged with Ashford this year
and it was important for both teams to start of with a win. Anchorians
travelled to Ashford missing a prop and were not sure if they would have to
start the match a man down. But Ashford only had a couple of fixtures arranged
on the day and plenty of players stood on the side line, one of which (Tommy)
was willing to stand up, put on an Anchorian shirt and help the visiting side
out.
The game started well with the usual passion from both sides displayed in
the manor in which they played. The Anchorian set pieces were very strong with
Dan Perry, John Henderson and stand in Tommy causing the Ashford scrum all
sorts of problems. The lineouts were just as good with Mike “Egg” Hughes
controlling his own lines and stealing several of Ashfords. But Anchorians
didn’t have it all there own way and Ashford were so much stronger in the loose
play and several times rucked Anchorians off of the ball. Ashfords second row
were seen several times reaching over the top and slowing down any fast ball
Gillingham thought they may have had. Half way through the first part of the
game Gillingham had a scrum ten yards from the Ashford line and with Dan “the
man” Perry pushing for all he was worth the ball shot out to Adam who spun the
ball wide and the ball went through the hands of the Anchorian backs, although
Ashfords defence was solid and held out. Yet Anchorians backs hadn’t finished
and Chris Everet made a storming run and popped to Kenton Parbutt who
straightened his line to cross over and score his 1st try for the
club. Mark pike stepped up for the conversion but hit the upright. Within
minutes of the kick off Ashford were putting pressure on Anchorians and were
attacking the line with their strong loose play. Anchorians were slowly sucked
in to the rucks and before they could reorganise themselves Ashford span the
ball wide for their hooker to run unopposed in to the corner.
Half time and the
score was 5 – 5. The second half started off with just as much passion and both
sides believed they had what was needed to win the game. Ashford won a few
penalties within kicking distance of the Anchorian posts but were unable to put
the points on the board. The game seemed to have reached a stale mate and so
the Ashford supporters started to help their side by shouting encouragement
which only spurred on Anchorians to fight harder. Anchorians got some quick
ball and attacked the Ashford line, Ashford spread out their defence waiting
for Anchorians to strike wide but quick thinking Dan Perry collected the ball
from the back of the ruck and shot over to score a try. Mark Pike stepped up
and slotted the conversion. Ashford felt the game was still within reach and
again attacked the Gillingham line, but strong defence from players such as
Kenton Parbutt and Mike Cooper were enough to keep Ashford from scoring. The
last ten minutes seemed to take forever, but eventually the Ref blew his whistle
and the game belonged to Gillingham. It was a hard thought battle between the
sides and one that will be repeated later in the year.
Next week Anchorians
have a home fixture against Tunbridge Juddians and today’s game was a good warm
up to the important league fixture. Players such as Mark Pike, Kenton Parbutt
and Dan Begley all played extremely well but today’s man of the match goes to
Dan Perry.