Colts offer hope as winning run ended

ASHBOURNE Rugby Club’s threematch winning streak came to an end in a 31-3 defeat away to Ilkeston but it was a weekend in which team manager Martin Farr felt positive about the big picture at the club.

With the Colts having no game, 10 of them were sprinkled through the four senior sides who all played – including a full debut for the first team for John Cantello.

Several factors did not help Ashbourne as they went down to Ilkes-* ton, where they are usually given a tough game.

A couple of regular players had to withdraw ahead of the game and they also lost captain John Ford and Ollie Ruddock to injury inside the first half.

“Our scrum performed well again but we were found out by a very wise Ilkeston side,” said Farr.

“I wasn’t at the game but I’m reliably informed that we played well and the score flattered Ilkeston.

“This was one of our transition weekends, when we brought the Colts into the senior teams and, from that point of view, it was a great success.”

In the Midlands Two East (North) relegation battle, Market Rasen & Louth, who Ashbourne beat last week, had a good 22-5 win at home to Southwell which nipped them back one point ahead of Ashbourne.

Bottom club Coalville secured their second win of the season, 14-5 at home to Ashby, which ensured Ashby stay five points behind Ashbourne.

However, Saturday sees a difficult trip for Ford’s team, away to Newark, although they conceded 65 points to Lincoln on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ashby are unlikely to get anything from an away game against promotion-chasing Melbourne.

Ashbourne’s seconds ran in nine tries in thrashing Burton’s thirds 59-7.

Scorers were Aaron Bodger (2), Henry Ashmore (2), Charlie Hart (2), Lachlan Gould, Joe Lucas and Lewis Frith, with Frith adding seven conversions.

The thirds beat Belper seconds 14-0 and the fourths, in a three-way match-up at Buxton, beat the home side 12-0 and drew 12-12 with Matlock thirds.

Home games for the seconds and thirds against Melbourne on Saturday both kick-off at 1.45pm so that all who want to can watch the Scotland-england game later.

The Colts will be back in action away to Ashfield.

PICTURE: JEANETTE HART Ashbourne Rugby Club under-14s who are enjoying a good season. They beat Leek 17-10 at the weekend with tries by Billy Bolton-lear, Adam Flanaghan and George Miller. In the team picture, they are, back row, from left: coach James Miller, Sam Costabile, George Padden, Fergus Knox, Joe Maskery, Julian Hart, Billy Bolton-lear, Adam Flanaghan, Alfie Bogacki, George Miller, Jack Limer, Lewis Berridge and coach Simon Hellaby. Front: Matthew Bullick, Brad Botham, Freddie Beale, Jake Robson, Noah Haines, Ashton Hellaby, Sam Killeen, Joel Parker and Aidan King.

PIC: JEANETTE HART Charlie Hart scores one of Ashbourne seconds’ nine tries.