Colts step up while firsts are frustrated

TWO of Ashbourne’s Colts caught the eye on a frustrating weekend for the club’s first XV.

An overnight snowfall meant the 1sts’ scheduled home game in Midlands Two East (North) against Market Rasen & Louth was postponed.

But away from Ashbourne, the 2nds and 3rds found conditions more helpful, celebrating wins on the road against Eccleshall and Mansfield respectively.

For the 2nds, there were two senior debuts for Colts who made the step up – and Henry Ashmore and Joe Lucas seized their chance.

Ashmore touched down for a hattrick of tries, while Lucas added another in Ashbourne’s 77-10 victory against Eccleshall 2nds.

Other try scorers were Ben Pederson (2), Bailey Shaw (2), Rich Hill (2), Jake Lovatt and Lach Gould.

Lewis Frith filled his boots with plenty of conversions.

There was no shortage of scorers for the 3rds either as they defeated Masnfield 3rds 44-15.

Simon Spencer, Stuart Bailey, James Hollingsworth, Jonah Trethewey and James “Monty” Lyon all bagged tries, with Dom Harrison chipping in with conversions.

The 1sts will be hoping to return to action on Saturday when they make the trip to face Matlock, who are fourth but reeling from a narrow 12-10 away defeat against second-placed Newark last Saturday.

Ashbourne are second from bottom and aiming to make their mark against familiar rivals.

“Before the pandemic and the first lockdown, we got hammered over there,” said manager Martin Farr, “but we had done well at their place in previous years, beating them.

“It’s a tough place to go to. A lot of the lads will have played each other going all the way back to school level, so they know each other pretty well.

“Matlock are going quite well this season so they will probably be licking their lips!

“We’re still not full strength, we have had a lot of hamstring injury issues, which is bugging us a bit.

“But it will be great to have Nick Palmer and Adam Curley reunited at centre. They have played together only once this season and they are special, experienced players for us.

“Adam has just come back from injury, he has been one of the players who has been struggling with hamstring issues.

“We’re looking forward to seeing them back in action together again.”

Inset pic: Stuart Fletcher Henry Ashmore scored a hat-trick of tries for Ashbourne 2nd XV in the win against Eccleshall 2nds, while Joe Lucas (inset) also touched down. It was both players’ senior debuts after being promoted from the Colts.