Academy make it three wins on the trot

OEs U18s 28 Ashford 5

OEs U18s continued their unbeaten start to the season on Sunday when they produced an impressive all-round performance to beat a strong Ashford aside at Eltham College.

But the Academy boys were made to work exceptionally hard before securing their third successive victory. Conceding a massive height and weight advantage to a large and well drilled Ashford pack, OEs were indebted to an excellent performance from their front row of Yus Tary, Kaine Devo and Felype Silvestre who worked tirelessly in the set piece against much larger opponents and popped up all over the field to make important tacklers.

Man of the match Silvestre, in particular, enjoyed an impressive game in the loose, and it was Elthamians’ excellent performance at the breakdown that allowed them to secure enough possession to release their dangerous backline.

With Will Luxford and captain Matt Carter pulling the strings at half-back, and the outstanding Jack Saunders at No.8 causing the Ashford defence no end of problems, whenever he got the ball in his hands, the Old Boys always look dangerous when they had possession, especially when they spread the ball wide.

But the visitors started the game the better of the two sides and used their big pack and strong strike runners to punch holes in the OEs defence to take an early 5-0 lead.

However, the Old Boys hit back with an excellent try from centre Aston Craddock after a wonderful arcing run and pass from Brandon McDowell, Luxford’s conversion giving OEs a 7-5 lead.

Arguably the turning point of the game came on 30 minutes when OEs increased their lead with a quite brilliant individual try from Saunders. It is doubtful whether Elthamians will score a better try at any level this season.

Receiving the ball out of position at inside centre, deep inside his own 22, Saunders burst through the first up tacklers and then zig-zagged through the entire Ashford defence before sprinting the length of the field to score by the posts. It was reminiscent of
New Zealand wing John Kirwan’s often televised try against Italy in the 1987 World Cup, and it visibly deflated an Ashford side who did not offer the same threat after the break.

Leading 12-5 going into the second half, Luxford kicked three penalties to give OEs a commanding lead they never looked likely to relinquish. Ashford continued to apply pressure at the set piece and enjoyed plenty of possession but struggled to get in behind the home defence and create clear-cut chances.

With the visitors reduced to 13 after two of their players were shown yellow cards for technical infringements, Elthamians rounded off an impressive performance with their third try of the game. Fittingly it was Saunders who was on hand to take the try-scoring pass and stroll under the posts for his second try after wonderful work in the loose and a lovely off-load from Danny Ellard.

Next up for the Under-18s is Dartfordians who come to Eltham College on Sunday, December 6th (kick-off 1.30pm).

OEs U18s: Yus Tary, Kaine Devo, Felype Silvestre, Danny Ellard, Sam Hines Street, Piers Craddock, Teddy Bevan, Jack Saunders, Will Luxford, Matt Carter, Matt Scobie, Aston Craddock, Brandon McDowell, James Bullen, Oli Steadman