Kesteven vs. Ashfield (02/02/2019)

Kesteven came agonisingly close to securing victory at home to second-placed Ashfield on Saturday afternoon. Tries from Dan Turner and James Goodrich gave the hosts a slender lead but an Ashfield score at the death left the game at a stalemate. Gavin Purvis captained the side and Cameron Bibby made his Kesteven debut.

Despite cancelled matches throughout the league due to hard ground, conditions at Woodnook were more than suitable for an expansive game, but the Ashfield forward game plan tested K’s up front. Constant forward carries tight around the ruck proved challenging, with the visitors going close at times, only prevented by solid black defence on their own line.

K’s defensive resilience was rewarded. Despite injuries to scrum-half Kenneth Lines and second row Will Pert, Dan Turner crossed over for the opening score thanks to good build up play from the forwards. Will Cann converted. However. Pert’s partner in the lock, Leo Vincent was carded for attempting to punch Ashfield’s openside flanker.

Ashfield hit back with an unconverted try of their own soon after, but K’s retook the lead in style. A spilled ball in midfield from the Ashfield backs was pounced on by Aaron Whittaker, who offloaded to centre James Goodrich. Goodrich sprinted home from inside the K’s 10m line and dived over in the corner, showing a superb turn of pace to fend off scrambling defenders. Cann’s shot at goal was wide, but K’s had restored their 7 point lead, just as the half time whistle blew.

The second period kicked off and Ashfield continued their game plan of forward-orientated attack, contributing to the stop-start nature of the half. Unforced errors and penalties were common and both sides jostled for possession.

The half wore on and as K’s once again defended deep with grit, Ashfield coughed up more and more chances with the ball, testament to the black defence. But with 4 minutes to go, replacement scrum-half Ben Whinney was sent to the sin bin for foul language after a contentious call by the referee at scrum time. Ashfield took advantage and after driving closer to the black line, the visitors made the extra man count, just about moving the ball out wide for the winger to touch down. The conversion was slotted and K’s recorded their first draw of the season. Kesteven 12, Ashfield 12.

1. Robert Sheardown
2. Xanti Xipu
3. Gavin Purvis
4. Will Pert
5. Leo Vincent
6. Richard Armstrong
7. Cam Goodrich
8. Dan Turner
9. Kenneth Lines
10. Will Cann
11. Harry Cox
12. Ben Betts
13. James Goodrich
14. Cameron Bibby
15. Aaron Whittaker

16. Olie Hanson
17. Ben Whinney
18. Ian Charles

Coach: Tom Price