Farr sees green shoots in Ashbourne’s defeat
THE first team went down 45-14 to a powerful Long Eaton side who may well go on to get promoted but the future remains bright, says manager Martin Farr.
While the first team were losing their fifth match out of six, the club’s Colts were continuing their unbeaten start to the season, seeing off Ashfield 26-7.
The club’s under-12s also continued an unbeaten start to the season as they outscored Derby’s under-12s by 21 tries to four.
Farr says the way the club have bounced back from the pandemic has been much better than some clubs have managed.
“The Colts’ squad of 28 bucks the trend locally,” he said.
“Other clubs have had to stand down their colts teams but ours are on a terrific run at the moment and things are looking bright for the future.
“That’s down to quality coaching and management.”
As previously stated, the first team is in a transitional season, with a number of young players being given a regular game, but there are some big packs in Midlands Two East (North) and the extra physicality takes its toll.
Farr was full of praise for Long Eaton, though.
The club have come through the divisions in recent seasons and have probably not stopped rising yet.
Farr says they are thoroughly well organised and deserve their success.
“In the first half, every time they got into our 22, they scored,” he said.
“We tackled resiliently, we were competitive but we didn’t get any ball and they were 26-0 up by the break, while Ashbourne had already lost Rob Farr, Josh Leaper and Lewis Robinson to injuries.
“Our captain, John Ford, would never call himself man of the match but I can – he puts his body on the line every week.”
Farr also singled out new sign
ing Nick Palmer, formerly with Stoke, for praise.
“He’s only 11 stone wet through but he tackles ferociously,” he said.
Ashbourne made more of a fist of it in the second half and both Ford and Palmer went over for tries, which Ben Woods converted.
“We were very secure in the scrums and matched them,” said Farr.
“The line-outs were better too.
“If we go on to win more than half of our games this season, that would be success for me.
“Long Eaton will win the league or finish second. They’re a top quality team and they’re lovely guys, too.
“In all my years in rugby I’ve never known the opposition offer to sweep out their changing room – but they did.”
Under-12s coach Stuart Fletcher echoed Farr’s enthusiasm for the junior sections.
“We had 30 lads turn up for the colts on Saturday, then on Sunday, with Derby visiting, there were 247 kids playing on the Rec across all age groups – it’s fair to say the junior section is in rude health.”
For the under-12s on Sunday, in their first home game of the season, both they and Derby had plenty of players, so each squad was split into two to allow four matches to be played.
Ashbourne won all four but Derby kept at it and maintained their discipline and sportsmanship so, as is often the case with the minis and juniors, rugby was the real winner.
Matches from under-seven to under-12 took place and other age groups training at home made up the impressive number of 247 involved.