EDF SENIOR VASE 3rd ROUND
17/11/07
OLD ASHMOLEAN v LONDON CORNISH

Old Ashmoleans 10 - London Cornish 47

London Cornish summarily dismissed the challenge of London 4 North-West promotion contenders Old Ashmoleans in Southgate on Saturday, recording an emphatic 7 try to 1 victory as the exiles again demonstrated their growing confidence. The few hardy souls watching the game were witness to some scintillating rugby from the visitors as they dominated all aspects of the game.

In 1996/7, this match was a Herts/Middx 4 league game, and it is a measure of just how progressive these two clubs are that the two clubs now ply their trade in the Senior Vase. Ashmoleans came into the game in good form, sitting in 3rd place in their league with just one defeat all season. They had already accounted for London 3 opposition in a previous round, dumping St Albans out of the competition, and doubtless saw Cornish as another potential giant-killing target. They have an unusual set up in that their clubhouse is not situated anywhere near their pitches, so both teams change and then drive down to the ground. While this may faze some clubs, the exiles are used to such an inconvenience since they too drive to their clubhouse (The Telegraph Inn) following matches, albeit the changing rooms are on the same ground as the pitches and only the post match meal is served in the pub. A seamless drive round the north circular saw Cornish arrive in excellent time much to the astonishment of the few bewildered Ashmoleans assembling at their HQ. The exiles had rested a couple of players for this match, Adam McVicar getting a start at 9 in place of Mike Dardis, and Matt Strover being recalled on the wing in place of Mike Harvey. There was also a recall at long last for Rob Aird at lock, he being given the Skippers mantle in the absence of Mike Allewell.

The municipal pitch was in fine condition and the game began in overcast conditions with a strong, swirling breeze favouring nobody. With their first attack on 4 minutes Cornish exposed flaws in the home defence as wing Matt Strover juggled through on the angle from just inside the 22 to plunge over under the sticks, Dan Pollard adding the extras. It quickly became apparent that there was a huge disparity in the ability of the two packs as the exiles tore into their hosts in the tight, winning each of the first 9 scrums against the head. With their lineout also being picked apart by the Cornish jumpers Pete Calvert and Chris Milne, the only ball Ashmoleans could win was on the floor. On 9 minutes hands in the ruck gave Pollard the chance to extend the exiles lead, the kick made comfortably from way out on the right hand side. Ashmoleans won a kickable penalty on 26 minutes but the kick was pulled wide, and each successive time the home side reached the Cornish 22 they were turned over as flankers Rod Petre and Will Ho were at their snaffling best. Playing a tight, well structured game the difference in levels between the two sides was increasingly visible as the game progressed, for though Ashmoleans have powerful runners at 12 and 15, they simply could not utilise them in dangerous areas of the pitch as they were under constant pressure up front. On 32 minutes Cornish broke blind for prop Ben Wheeler to pass the ball out to wing Jim Strover who matched his brothers earlier score by scoring out wide, the conversion missed on this occasion. No matter - within minutes of the halftime whistle Cornish launched a catch and drive that saw Skipper Aird gain the plaudits as the home pack were driven over their line, again the conversion sliding wide. The half time whistle went on a 20-0 lead for the visitors and little way back for the home side.

An early score in the second period was always likely to settle the match as a contest, and the exiles got in on 44 minutes when quick hands saw Jim Strover break away down the left flank to cross the whitewash out wide and scoot in by the posts, Pollard increasing his teams lead to 27-0. Finally, after winning a series of penalties awarded by an eccentric performance from the exchange referee from East Midlands, Ashmoleans managed to free up a back inside the visiting 22 to score under the posts. Though the conversion was added, there was only muted cheering from the small group of home supporters as they knew their side was on the rack. Back came the exiles, winning a scrum inside the home 22 after a good break by centre Graham Dodge. The front row of Wheeler, Will Carew-Gibbs and Andy Renner set to work on their opposite numbers and Cornish won a penalty. Aird opted for another scrum and as no 8 Milne was in the act of picking up the ball to score an errant boot came through to kick it away, the referee having little option but to award a penalty try. Pollard again added the extras and Cornish rang some changes, Frenchman Nicolas Patte making his first team debut in place of Ho, and Tom Rooke returning to first team action after a long injury lay off in place of Dodge. Ashmoleans began trying to spread the ball as they chased the game but passes went astray and plenty were fired straight into touch. With the Cornish lineout showing real timing for the first time this season, every time this happened the ball was returned with interest. On 68 minutes a fine run by centre Henry Mitchell saw a good link between forwards and backs before the ball fell to Renner. The powerful prop has taken a liking to try scoring in recent games and here he poached another as he powered over despite the attention of a couple of would-be tacklers. The kick was missed but this was the signal for Cornish to make their final two changes, James Turnbull coming on to replace Renner and club stalwart Jim Chilcott coming on in place of Milne. The home side did manage to piece together a few phases of play at this stage, and when they worked the ball from left to right just on the Cornish 22, their 12 signalled his thoughts on the game by dropping a goal! The Cornish response was immediate, Pollard striking a fine penalty from just inside the home half on 74 minutes to make the score 42-7. Finally, McVicar sent full back George Bramble down the blind side on 78 minutes and his pass gave Matt Strover the chance to level his personal scoring duel with his brother as he rounded the first defender and handed off the second to score way out on the right flank. When the final whistle went on the 47-10 victory, Cornish could be well satisfied with a job well done.

Cornish have taken a couple of spankings in League and Cup as they have progressed in recent seasons (including this one!), and these have helped highlight where the club need to focus to progress further. Hopefully, Old Ashmoleans can do the same from this game as they have plenty of the component parts to be an awkward opponent for sides at their level and the level above. We wish them well and will keep an eye out for their results as these two clubs are the fastest rising clubs in amateur London league rugby in the past 6 seasons. The early season travails have fallen away from the shoulders of London Cornish RFC, and the club is praying that they may get a home draw for only the second time in the last ten national cup draws when the 4th Round fixtures are released on Tuesday. The carefully managed injury list is now filtering players back into selection every week and there is plenty more to come from this group of players, clearly enjoying their rugby at LCRFC!

LCRFC – George Bramble, Jim Strover, Graham Dodge (Tom Rooke), Henry Mitchell, Matt Strover, Dan Pollard, Adam McVicar, Chris Milne (Jim Chilcott), Rod Petre, Will Ho (Nicolas Patte), Rob Aird (Capt.), Pete Calvert, Ben Wheeler, Will Carew-Gibbs, Andy Renner (James Turnbull).


To return to the previous page please click here.