Vet Victors (not Meldrews) again

Ashford Beer Festival features various forms of rugby - youth, ladies, veterans. The centre piece of the 2008 Festival has so far been the veterans tournament. Ten teams contested the most keenly fought competion to date. The deserved winners of the main competition were Essex side Romford and Gidea Park who defeated Uzes from France, 17-3 in the final.

 

Group B

Vs Canterbury won 15-0 try scorers Dave Rockliffe, Craig White Conversions John Scotchmer 1 Penalty Scotchmer 1

Romford completely dominated the game from the kick off, an early penalty kick from Scotchmer settled any nerves and a typical mazy run including at least 3 side steps from Rockliffe led to him scoring the first try, Romford led by 8-0 at half time. A late 2nd half try from debutant Craig White and conversion from Scotchmer gave the score a more relalistic look given Romfords overall dominance.

Vs Gillingham Ancorians won 5-3 try scorer Craig White

Romford had their toughest test of the day against a very fired up Gillingham side. Early indiscipline meant that Romford had to soak up a lot of early pressure, fortunetely a well drilled defence held out well and only conceded a penalty kick during this period. From the restart Romford took the opportunity to turn Gillingham with probing kicks and put pressure on them in their own 22. From a resulting scrum Kevin Butler fed a flying Criag White for what turned out to be the winning score.

Vs Maidstone won 12-5 try scorers Paul McCarthy, Craig White Conversions John Scotchmer 1

This was a more disappointing performance from Romford who were feeling the pace of games in quick succession. The result was never in doubt as Maidstone did not get out of their own half during the first half and a 5 metre scrum led to a try follwing a powerful surge from debutant No8 Paul McCarthy which was converted. A 2nd half try from Craig White sealed the win although Maidstone never gave up and following good work and skilful handling from their pack led to a late consolation try.

Vs Medway won 12-0 try scorers Rocky Dellamano, Paul McCarthy Conversions John Scotchmer 1

Romford knew that a win against previously unbeaten Medway would result in them topping the group and reaching the final. A superb performance set up by the front row and the dominant scrum meant their would only be one winner. Great hands across the backs led to a try in the corner from American winger Dellamano, and a 2nd half score from the ever powerful No8 McCarthy which was converted sealed a comfortable win and a place in the final against the much heralded French visitors from Uzes.

Final

Vs Uzes (France) won 17-3 try scorers Dave Marshall, Paul McCarthy, Penalty try Conversions John Scotchmer 1

Romford hit the French side from the off and after a number of pick and drives from the dominant pack quick hands led to the first try in the corner from Dave Marshall, the try was unconverted. Indiscipline cost Romford dear from the kick off as it let the french side to make good ground and following constant infringements the French team decided to kick penalty to close the gap. This is where the Romford scrum took over, the front row of Jeff Woods, Kevin McAlpin and Ged McVeigh completely destroyed the French pack and with the french side struggling to get any ball it was no surprise when a fortunate ricochet led to Paul McCarthy strolling over untouched for Romfords 2nd try which was converted for a half time score of 12-3. The 2nd half was even more dominant performance and after a series of penalties conceded from scrums on their own line the referee was left with no option but to award a penalty try Scotchmer missing the easiest of conversions although the result was in no doubt and the score at the final whistle was a resounding 17-3 to Romford.

Romford played the whole tournament with 16 players which is a testament to the effort of the players on the day and only lost a total of 3 scrums all day regardless of put in.

 

Man of the Tournament :- Dave Rockliffe

 

Done