Following last week’s fine win over Greenwich, Askeans hit a bump in the road when the visitors Canterbury III (Canterbury) came to the Rectory Field.
Their well drilled side were looking for revenge after they had to forfeit the game against us earlier in the season.
Injuries and unavailability meant that it was a very different Askean team that took the field and inevitably it took time to settle, until line out drills and defensive patterns were established. By contrast the opposition were obviously a team that knew each other and made the most of rehearsed moves.
Canterbury started quickly and were soon up by 42 points before the half hour mark.
Askeans then found their stride as the team became familiar with playing together.
Askeans now showed great spirt and quickly scored two tries – the first from a charge down by Charlie King – unfortunately Roddy’s conversion from wide out bounced off the post.
Then, Lewis Bainbridge scored our second try after some enterprising play by the forwards and a strong run by Dave O’Connor. Roddy converted neatly.
Askeans then defended well and prevented Canterbury scoring again before half time.
Canterbury were held for virtually all of the second half until injuries and a yellow card reduced Askeans to 12 players.
Canterbury then exploited the wide- open spaces of the Rectory Field to run in 3 more tries against the depleted home side.
A final score of 12-70 did little justice to the Askean team who showed great spirit especially after the first half hour, whilst struggling to contain the opposition with just 12 on the field later on – a situation exacerbated by the wide pitch and perfect playing surface.
Wing Tom Salmon was Askeans man of the match – and this was much celebrated in the bar afterwards!
Please note that we play the semi-final of the Kent Salver against Cliffe Crusaders on 10th February at the Rectory Field. The anticipated return of injured players augurs well and we can hopefully look forward to another final. However it will be a tough task for the selection team when a full complement of Askeans are available to play!
Dave Shute
Next Game:
Kent Salver
Askeans vs Cliffe Crusaders
Saturday 10th February
The Rectory Field 2.00 pm