Horsham v Ashford 6th Oct 2012

Horsham welcomed table toppers Ashford to Coolhurst for what was expected to be a tough and bruising encounter against a physical and well drilled side. Last season the honours were even with two home victories recorded by each side and as such this game was considered to be an early indication of Horsham’s credentials this season. Ultimately the result went Ashford’s way with a bonus point for tries scored, however Ashford will know that they were second best across most of the game with the difference caused by Horsham errors rather than Ashford creativity.
Horsham started much the stronger with territory and possession in Ashford’s half. After 10 minutes, a penalty was awarded following several fierce rucks. Will Bell stepped up to convert the kick leaving Horsham 3-0 up after 10 minutes
Play continued in this vein for the first 20 minutes, and following Ashford’s first foray into Horsham’s half, a missed tackle and fine offload out of a second tackle saw Ashford score their opening try which was duly converted 3 – 7 after 23 minutes
Horsham went back on the offensive and continued to press deep in Ashford’s half. Horsham’s Scrum was starting to get on top of Ashford’s larger pack, and although slightly misfiring, the lineout continued to secure possession. Following one lineout and subsequent set up in the centres, the Ashford backs were pulled offside and the penalty kick was duly converted by Will Bell – 6-7 after 29 minutes
In Ashford’s second raid into Horsham territory after 33 minutes, Horsham flanker Scott Price was given a yellow card for an infringement at the breakdown. The penalty was converted leaving the score 6-10 in Ashford’s favour.
There then followed a defining 10 minutes that was to secure victory for Ashford and all of it was down to Horsham errors granting Ashford possession and ultimately points. On 40 minutes, with the Horsham backs cutting through the Ashford defence, a ball was passed slightly behind the supporting player and the ball was hacked through by the speedy 10 who gathered the kick through and cantered over for a converted try - 6-17
On 42 Minutes, the same scenario played out again – Horsham on the attack – a dropped ball that was kicked through and bouncing favourably for the talented Ashford 10 who scored an unconverted try – 6-22 which was to be the score at half time.
Immediately after half time, the decision to run the ball from deep within the Horsham 22m following the downfield clearance kick by Ashford caused defensive confusion. A poorly executed ruck and pressurised clearance kick saw the ball fail to find touch and fall into the right wingers hands on the Horsham 22m who simply ran the ball across the line for Ashford’s bonus point try. 42 minutes gone and the score a seemingly insurmountable 6-27
Ashford had taken their opportunities very well. In a match where they achieved parity in the lineout only, the gifting of possession in try scoring positions proved Horsham’s undoing. The team required to show their mettle if they were to salvage any credibility from the game.
On 46 minutes, an off the top lineout saw Johnny Ordidge crash through the Ashford line in the centres and outpace the defensive cover to score to the left of the posts for a fine individual try with the conversion kicked by Will Bell. 13-27
Horsham started to dominate the game and by now the game was exclusively played on Ashford’s half. Horsham’s scrum were powering Ashford back and with the pressure starting to rise the old heads in the Ashford pack started to display some of the darker side of rugby. In one passage of play both Horsham’s hooker and Tight Head presented themselves with gashes to the face as a result of cheap shots. Ashford were living offside in the fringes and with the referee missing both the positional infringements and the punching, Horsham were not getting the rub of the green that their performance deserved. One particular decision saw the Horsham pack drive the Ashord pack off their own ball 5m out from the Ashford try line only to be penalised for deliberately wheeling and in so doing allowing Ashford to momentarily ease the pressure.
Horsham continued to press and on 67 minutes, following yet another clearance kick, Will Bell initiated the counter attack which was supported by Johnny Ordidge, Rob Grantham Hill and Jo Wilde. The ball reached Tyler Aitkin who promptly beat 2 defenders with his footwork and passed the ball wide to Sam Rice who scored in the corner. Will Bell subsequently converted the kick- 20 – 27 and in so doing setting up the grandstand finish.
Horsham continued to press and as the clock ran down continued to ask questions of Ashford’s defence which on the whole stood firm. As the game entered the final few minutes a kick over the defensive line saw Sam Rice reach the touchdown ahead of his opposite man. The Ashford players reacted with dismay at the conceded try and the crowd thought it had seen a brave fight back. Sadly, the only person to have an opposing view was the ref who awarded a 22 drop out and in so doing allow Ashford to clear the lines and even granting one final unsuccessful kick at goal in an attempt at giving Horsham no return.
Although the final score granted Horsham a losing bonus point, the team were disappointed to have contributed so significantly to the loss. Ashford capitalised well and as such take great credit for converting the opportunities presented. However they will also know that this was a game that they were lucky to have won. In the final analysis, Horsham had contributed more to Ashford’s scoring than Ashford themselves. It certainly sets things up nicely for the return league fixture which is likely to be a defining in the outcome of these two clubs league positions.
The cup fixture that was to follow this league fixture was subsequently conceded by Ashford and in so doing preventing Horsham from recording an immediate turnaround although the positive is that it has allowed Horsham to progress through to the next round of the cup.