U14s Ashbourne 24 - Melbourne Gold 17

Melbourne Golds previous game was a big defeat to Derby in the NLD, a cold, rainy Sunday away at Ashbourne was really going to be another test for this new looking team.

The first 5 minutes and the game was a close battle with both team knocking lumps out of each like a Colin McGregor after fight, then a break away try by the Ashbourne centre and Melbourne found themselves 7-0 down. The one ingredient this team has shown this season and in training, is "character" the boys went down the other end and where camped on the Ashbourne line, with many players going close, Kelly, Gus and finally a crash ball from one of the Joe's to Ethan 10 yards out saw Melbourne level up 7-7, never any doubt the conversation would be slotted through the sticks by Northy.

Confidence was found again by the Golds and they rucked and mauled and edged there was down the park, a desperate kick from Ashbourne saw them kick it straight to Brad at full back, playing in only his 2nd game a full back, he is a real threat to any defence, his direct , low centre of gravity running saw him run in a try in the corner, beating many players and running at least 30m, cue celebrations, subs and players all celebrated, integration of the "new boys" complete!

Half time and a quick recap on what we have done well, they boys where buzzing!

Second half and Ashbourne looked to have had a Mourinho half time team talk and scored to quick tries, they where back in the lead.....

Melbourne new what they had to do and they did, good forward work again time after time and Joe North scored a lovely solo try scoring in the corner, this was a more difficult conversation, and unfortunately he missed. Ashbourne had a 2 point lead going into the last 10mins.

Ashbourne scored in the corner, but missed the conversation, the boys felt they good get a draw, and gave everything in the last 5mins putting together phase after phase, pick a goes, by Huw, Ben, Kelly, to name a few, but in the end beaten by the clock.

Special mentions to Lewis Alton, Fraser, Olly Smith, Joe North and Brunt and Ethan, Reuben lead the team and growing into the captain role, and men of the match go to Kelly and Brad.