Horsham return to winning ways

On a beautiful day for running rugby Horsham came up with what was arguably their best performance of the season so far, scoring seven tries and conceding nothing against an Ashford team that has forged a reputation for scoring tries and running teams close, scoring the second-highest tally of bonus points in the league.

Horsham kicked off into the wind to start the first half, and immediately worked to put pressure on the Ashford pack. The pressure was rewarded after 10 minutes with a turnover ball, and several phases later Sam Bell made the telling break and a couple of passes later Joe Clark went over for the first try.

Ashford came back strongly from the kick off and the game started to settle down to a pretty even contest. After 22 minutes fly half Angelo made a half break before offloading to Sam, who put the wide pass in to send Jamie Gibbs up the touchline for Horsham's second try.

The rest of the first half was scoreless, and it was Ashford who had the lion's share of possession. Fortunately Horsham's defence was on top form, and some big hits from the back row of Rob Clegg, Johnny Porter and Joe Clark was keeping Ashford at bay. 10-0 at half time.

The half time chat from the coaches was pretty simple. Keep doing what you're doing and stick to the gameplan, the cracks will start to show and gaps will start to open. And sure enough that's what happened.

After a strong first half Joe Clark was forced off, but the cavalry was there in the (pear)shape of Adam Harman. He's since claimed that his appearance changed the game, but that's still open to debate.

Either way Horsham produced a second half of quality rugby, keeping toe scoreboard steadily ticking over for the next 40 minutes.

50 minutes in a lineout and rolling maul set Neal Holden free to barrel over for the third try. And just 5 minutes later Coolhurst saw what has to be the leading contender for Horsham's try of the season. A solid lineout and drive for the forwards was recycled with Ashford on the back foot, the ball went wide to Tom Wright hitting the line from fullback, and the final pass sent Liam Yeates over in the corner. Beautiful.

A hobbling Ryan Grover was replaced by Greg Holt, quickly making his mark with some solid work under high balls and restarts.

Neal Holden added a second on 62 minutes as Ashford left a gap on the blindside of a ruck, and we all know what it's like trying to stop Holden at full pelt. Unfortunately so does Ashford's fullback who was sparked out cold after going for his legs. Play was held up for a few minutes while he was attended to, thankfully all was well although he did look a little the worse for wear.

6 minutes later and another turnover allowed quick hands down the line to put Jamie Gibbs over for his second of the day. This was to be his last act of the game, making way for touch-judge extraordinaire Dan Bourne for the last 10 minutes.

There was still time for one more try. With his first touch of the ball Bourne streaked up the line, and was promptly clattered into touch by the Ashford 12. An impact sub if ever there was one. But from the resulting lineout ball was turned over by Greg Holt, and scrum half Matt Brown snipe over the line to make it 37-0.

Again, arguably Horsham's performance of the season so far, and a great win. Next week sees the Green Army travel to Maidstone for the last game of this first half of the season. Maidstone are currently one place above, and a win would put Horsham in 5th place at the halfway point.