Ashley’s winning ways continue
| Published date | 07 July 2022 |
| Publication title | North Canterbury News |
The top four teams in the North Canterbury edition of the Luisetti Seeds competition face off against each other on Saturday, with Kaiapoi getting a crack at the Deans Shield when it hosts Ashley, while Glenmark-Cheviot must return to Southbrook Park in a rematch of the Combined Competition final.
If it fails to repeat its victory from that match, it will be in grave danger of failing to qualify for the semi-finals as both Hurunui, who is in sizzling form at the moment, and Oxford, are breathing down its neck. Those two teams also clash on Saturday in what will be a must-win match for both of them.
Glenmark-Cheviot v Ashley
It didn’t take Glenmark-Cheviot winger, Blair Norton, long to make his presence felt after a rare starting opportunity as he scored in the opening minute to finish off a well-worked team try that rocked the visitors. Ashley’s response was swift and equally as impressive with forwards interacting with backs down the left-hand edge for Anthony Tavendale to scoot clear.
Two penalties by man of match Jack Marshall extended Ashley’s lead, only for the Glenmark-Cheviot forwards to spring into their work with a try to Nick Hyde, making the half time score 13-10 to Ashley.
At the start of the second half the Ashley forwards worked hard and got their tails up. Luke Duckworth, celebrating his 50th game, was to the fore along with a mix of the old and young brigade. Jimmy Thiele, Callan Smith and substitute Padraig Skerten, from the colts team, all made solid contributions.
Nearly all of Ashley’s ventures into the Glenmark-Cheviot half produced points through the boot of Marshall. He kicked two more penalties and then, in the 54th minute, he executed a well weighted grubber kick to the corner that was swooped up by a flying Anthony Tavendale who scored the second of his two tries in the right-hand corner.
Once again Glenmark-Cheviot hit back with a well worked move down the left-hand edge which was rewarded with a penalty try when referee, Karl Hancox, judged that Tavendale had tripped one of the Glenmark-Cheviot players on the way to the line.
This seven pointer narrowed the margin to just 7 points, with 20 minutes still to go and Ashley was down to 14 men.
Another penalty to Marshall quelled some of the scoreboard pressure but by now the hosts were making the most of possession aided by some fresh legs from the...
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