What a win - Bingham 30 Ashfield 5

Bingham (15) 30
Tries: Thomas, Stokoe, Richards, Graham 2, Cons: Macildowie Pen: Mount

Ashfield (0) 5

Near gale winds greeted both sides and Bingham elected play with the elements and were rewarded after early pressure; Ollie Macildowie ran a quick penalty and put Lee Stokoe into space to drive over under the posts. 2 points added by Ollie.

Within 10 mins, Jonathan Thomas had added a 2nd try after good phases of possession.

Bingham welcomed back Pete Mount after ill health and despite the return of players after recent unavailability, several players were still absent and unlike when we played at Ashfield early season, the set pieces were solid and matched Ashfield in the scrum despite having to play Ban Bartram normally hooker at 10.

Ashfield began to show what they are capable of with several attacks down the blind side taking play into the Bingham 22 but all attacks were defended and a solid defence together with some poor kicking from Ashfield denied the visitors any continuity.

Limited and intelligent kicking together with a willingness to run the ball though provided Bingham with most of the territory and limited opportunities to Ashfield.

Ollie Macildowie suffered a yellow card for offside at the scrum after the ref had warned for other persistent infringements.

A yellow to Ashfield followed shortly after and a 2nd yellow to Bingham just before half time to Dan Blaylock sandwiched a penalty slotted by Pete Mount. Half time came 15 – 0 and just wondered if it would be enough now playing into the wind.

The 2nd half could not have turned out better running in 3 tries to get a bonus point and had run up 25 points before Ashfield got a sniff and ruled out any late minute jitters.

Early into the 2nd half Bingham were applying pressure and whilst possession came from a disrupted scrum on the 10m, Ollie Macildowie collected the ball, went blind, committed the scrum half and was able to give Jamie Graham the opportunity to isolate his winger step round him and show the covering defence a clean pair of heels to score in the corner much to the pleasure of the supporters and coach Huw Thomas who was eulogising the score long after the game.

A yellow for the Ashfield 9 and Bingham back in the opponents 22; Dan Bartram selling a lovely inside dummy provided space wide and a dummy from Alex Richards had him crossing for a deserved try; 25 – 0 and a bonus point.

Jamie Graham was then just beaten to the ball after a deft chip from Dan Bartram.

The whole back line were having a fantastic 2nd half not allowing the Ashfield backs any opportunities; Chris Garrod at full back safe as houses dealing with any kicks, Alex Richards linking with Tom Crosse in the centre and the 2 wingers Jamie Graham and Matt Forde countering whenever possible. Matt Forde broke 3 tackles to go under the posts but was pulled back for a forward pass during the move.

Not wanting to be outdone, the forwards excelled turning over ball and limiting Ashfield gains. MoM back row Chris Heathcote typified the performance of all but after a short spell of pressure, Ashfield had a try after running a penalty. This though was 30 mins into the 2nd half.

Bingham replied with Lee Stokoe stepping the defence, releasing the backs blind but only another forward pass denied Jamie a score.

With minutes left, Tom Crosse the ran half the length of the pitch after forcing a turnover in his own half but with a gathering defence, Jamie Graham offered support and scored. Final score 30 – 5

A more than pleasing result after a season of many disappointments and a happy clubhouse.