Ashbourne battle back but come up just short
ASHBOURNE’S promotion chances took a hit when they were beaten 22-19 away to Derby seconds in Counties 2 Midlands East North on Saturday.
It means rivals Nottingham Moderns are now only three points behind them in the race for second place and have a game in hand.
Crucially, Ashbourne visit Moderns in the last game of the season a week on Saturday.
A slow start cost the Cocks and they found themselves chasing the game.
They got themselves on the board when Woody Austin scored a try following a slick move among the backs and a strong run from returning centre Will Trethewey, smashing through the defence and drawing the full-back before putting winger Allen in near the corner.
And Ashbourne scored a second try just before half-time when some good quick phase play brought the ball to five metres out and inside centre Josh Bailey ploughed through the defenders to dot down.
Their final try, after the break, came off a brilliant play from the forwards, offloading and getting the ball close, where replacement flanker Jake Wheeldon was able to use his speed and power to bulldoze over.
Will Allen converted two of the tries and going into the closing minutes of the game, Ashbourne had got themselves within three points.
However, Derby, who have been in good form of late, stood firm defensively to hang on to their winning margin.
Ashbourne pushed all the way to the home side’s five-metre line and were dominating every collision but they could not quite get the winning score.
It was a day when fathers Stuart Bailey and Robyn Wright shared the pitch with their sons, Josh Bailey and James Wright, and it was Josh Bailey who was named man of the match for his strong contribution.
Ashbourne are at home to the other Nottingham side, Casuals, on Saturday.
It remains to be seen what will happen with the game Ashbourne’s rivals Nottingham Moderns have in hand.
A fortnight ago, Moderns’ game with Gainsborough was abandoned by the referee at half-time following disciplinary issues and Gainsborough have now been deducted 10 points.
Ashbourne seconds made it three wins in a row in Counties 3 Midlands East (Central) when they beat Nottinghamians 29-10 and they are now third from bottom in the division with a game in hand on the bottom two.