Spartans’ Stags 27 Ashbourne 3s 17

The Stags opened their 2017 account with a hard fought victory over visiting Ashbourne.

In a closely matched encounter, Ashbourne were first on the scoreboard when their open side flanker pounced on a loose ball from a scrum and sprinted over the line, under the posts, unopposed.

The hosts worked hard up the slope, and their efforts were rewarded with good running lines from Gibbons resulting in a try for the full back.

With Ashbourne leading 7-5, exchanges were even and enterprising attacking play on both sides was cancelled out by resolute defence by the opposing team.

The game turned in the Stags’ favour just after the break, with a 20 minute of “black” dominance resulting in 4 quick tries.

Firstly, Baines bulldozed over from short range following repeated assaults on the Ashbourne line by the Spartans’ pack. This was followed by swift hands in midfield putting Newall clear, to scorch in from the half way line, leaving the visitors’ defence in tatters. The crowd had not had time to settle before Newall dealt a further blow to Ashbourne by out pacing their defence to touchdown a Norton kick through. A further try from Baines, and a Perry conversion, put a different complexion on the score, and the Stags led 27-7 going in to the final quarter.

As the clock counted down, the impressive Ashbourne outfit showed how dangerous they were with a final flurry of 2 tries out wide in the final 10 minutes – but the Stags took the honours with a closing score of 27-17.”