Late kick loss for Ashbourne

ASHBOURNE Rugby Club lost to a late drop goal in their visit to Market Rasen & Louth in Midlands Two East (North).

But the last score of the game was not quite as simple as that.

With the scores tied at 26-26, Market Rasen won a penalty and, though it was a long one, young scrum half Ed Nicholls was ready to take it on.

As he was about to run up, the ball slipped from the T and was technically back in play.

As Ashbourne realised the situation and began to charge forward, Nicholls calmly picked up the ball and sent a drop kick between the posts.

Eight minutes of Ashbourne pressure could not produce a response and they came home with their fourth defeat of the season.

Remarkably, six teams in the middle of the table share the same record.

The game had started badly for Ashbourne, who were without captain Ollie Ruddock and a number of others, and they conceded three tries to fall 19-0 behind.

They hit back and tries from Chris Rose and Rob Farr, the second after a fine interception and run, both converted by Farr, got them back to 19-14 at half-time.

Ashbourne’s forwards got more into the game after the break and Mark Broom drove over to level the scores.

Linesh Frederick, back from injury and filling in at the last minute at centre after expecting to be on the bench, scored a fine try, converted by Farr, to make it 26-19.

With 15 minutes left, Market Rasen hit back with a converted try to level the scores ahead of the late drama. Ashbourne are at home to Matlock next, on Saturday, December 1.

ASHBOURNE fourths are clear at the top of Nottinghamshire Security Plus Pennant League Group Four North after making it six wins from six this season.

They won 22-7 away at Belper seconds at the weekend, led by stand-in skipper Ian Jones.

Early tries from Stuart Lemon and Jim Slater put Ashbourne on top but they relaxed a little and Belper started to come back into it, scoring a try for themselves.

Playing downhill in the second half, Ashbourne started to get back on top with some powerful breaks from Mikey Allen and his brother Tom.

A storming try from Lemon was converted by fly half Johnny Birkett, then Mikey Allen went over for a try in the corner to finish the scoring.

FOURTHS: P Kellow, P Birkett, I Jones, T Allen, W Moore, J Slater, S Lemon, S Jones, G Ditchfield, J Birkett, N Fryer, S Spencer, B Ditchfield, W Gardner, R Glithero, S Coates, M Allen.

• In the previous week, the fourths had run in 10 tries in a 70-5 win over Spartans thirds.