Match Report: Zingari v Ashford Barbarians

Match Report. 24.10.26

Canterbury 5^th v Ashford Barbarians 1^st

Canterbury5th 17 pts Ashford Barbarian 1^st 17 pts.

Canterbury Zingari took on top of the table Ashford Barbarians in an exciting and sometimes physical encounter in some appalling weather conditions. The conditions favoured the Barbarians heavier well drilled pack, and had the city side in trouble from the start winning a scrum inside the Canterbury twenty-two that developed into a driving maul they forced over the line, and with the conversion established an early lead. They had made their intensions clear, and the Zingari struggled to hold their rampant pack that paid dividends, laying siege to the Canterbury line before using their power to force their way over the line out wide. The Zingari’s reply to this onslaught was their tackling, chopping down the opposition before an attack could develop. This seemed to have some effect frustrating the Barbarian forward play forcing them to send the ball wide, this played into the city’s hands as the city backs were sharp at the breakdown. Canterbury capitalised  on this breaking loose from turnover ball, and sending the ball down the line for Jake Vowell to touch down in the corner just before halftime reducing the deficit.

The Second half started with no improvement in the weather conditions as conditions making handling difficult for both sides and the wind increasing playing havoc with the kicking game. It was canterbury who adapted to the conditions although still under pressure at the set piece, their backs handling began to master the slippery ball spreading the defence wide before Brad Alchurch saw the opening cutting back inside touching down near the posts, and for Rob Horan to slot the conversion. This pattern of play continued with the Barbarians dominating the set piece but the Zingari mastering the play out wide that led to Alchurch’s second try to  putting the city side in the lead for the first time. Canterbury never looked like cruising to an easy win as the Barbarians rallied in the last minutes using their heavy forwards driving to within five meters of the city line. The Zingari mounted a heroic defence in the dying minutes of the game holding several attempts to ground the ball. With the game now in stoppage time Canterbury regained possession, but a loose clearance kick failed to find touch giving the Barbarians the chance to break through in the corner, but with the following unsuccessful conversion the game resulted in an honourable draw for both sides in these very difficult conditions.