Match Reports

Vets 24 v 0 Ashbourne 4ths

The first match for the newly formed Longton Vets side saw them keep the visitors at bay for the first-half and then deliver a second half demolition of a tough and very competitive Ashbourne 4ths team.

Ashbourne’s big forward pack gave their all in the first half with the set-piece well matched and both sets of forwards carrying the ball into opposition territory. 

Honeymonster and Wilsh propped the scrum up well, and never moved backwards all day, often having the big Ashbourne pack under pressure on their own ball.  Fester, playing out of position, hooked securely in the scrum and also pressurised the Ashbourne feed.

Gary Turner demonstrated his ex-first team experience and, from second row, controlled much of the Longton forward play - setting up mauls and allowing other people to play off him. Gary Humphries also played his part in the engine room with some good charges and excellent defence. 

The Longton backrow included newcomer Jez Mac whose fitness showed as he put in some telling tackles and was like a rash covering most of the Ashbourne rucks.  Jacko demonstrated the art of strong running from number 8 and took the ball into Ashbourne territory on numerous occasions.  John Sarge completed the back row triumvirate and snubbed out all Ashbourne sorties down the blind side. 

Longton’s backs constantly pressurised the opposition with fly-half Matt Glaze controlling the midfield and putting in some big tackles on the Ashbourne runners.

Sean O’Neil and Alan Christian dominated the centre exchanges to release Steve Cartledge and Brian Griffiths for some great breaks down the wings, with Andy Robb always in support from full-back.  But the Ashbourne backs managed to just contain Longton’s pacy runners when scores looked on. 

The Longton forwards matched Ashbourne in all departments and the Ashbourne backs offered little in the way of a threat.  It was 0-0 at the break. 

In the second half the Longton fitness belied their age and their continued pressure eventually told with four unanswered tries.

The first saw a driving maul from a lineout take Gary Turner over.  5-0.  GT might have had a second try later in the game but the referee was unsure about the grounding of the ball with GT over the line but at the bottom of a pile of players.

The second try saw Steve Cartledge make a characteristic break through the middle with the Ashbourne backs unable to keep up allowing him to touch down under the posts. Graeme Wilson added the conversion. 12-0. 

Having converted Steve’s try, Graeme scored the next - the backs showed quick hands to take the ball out to the left, and Graeme cut back inside to wrong foot the defence and ran through to score under the sticks. He added the conversion. 19-0. 

Longton's substitutes Andy Toplass and Andy Brazier made telling contributions during their time on the pitch with AB stealing the ball at his first line-out and Toppo defending a last gasp Ashbourne break from their backs.  

The final try saw Longton’s Mark Toll picking up from the back of a 5-metre scrum and getting driven over by the rest of the pack.  This was a fitting finale for what had been a strong forward performance by Longton throughout the game.

Final score 24-0.

With a three-week break before the next match, the Vets should be able to rest their aches and pains before meeting Birmingham Barbarians 2nds at Trentham Fields on 10^th October.