Saturday saw Aspetuck Valley Rugby take to the road for their first play-off against New London County under 19s Rugby in what promised to be a close and exciting match.
The bright sunshine, whilst welcome for its warmth, did nothing to pacify the blustery Atlantic wind, gusting to 20 knots and threatening to cause havoc for kickers.
Aspetuck, going into battle, clad in their trademark tribal-pattern gold jerseys, were quick off the mark after less than five minutes when Southbury’s Luke Niedziela shook off two defenders to cross the goal line for the first five-point try of the game.
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Two more points were added by Weston’s Tim Squance, who defied the gusty conditions to fire the conversion kick straight between the posts from 20 yards out.
New London were quick on the counter attack but Aspetuck’s forwards reclaimed the ball on a turnover ruck, pounding it back into New London’s half before a sweet sailing pass to Wilton’s Ryan Robb saw him drive over the line for another five-point try in the 25th minute, setting up Squance for his second successful conversion of the day.
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Far from rolling over in submission, New London came back with renewed vigor, their intense rucking rewarded in the 28th and 32nd minutes with two tries and a nice long-range conversion.
That could have been it for the half until Robb, having a fantastic game, touched down for his second try in the 34th minute. Once again Squance was on target with the conversion to take the score to 12-21 to the visiting Aspetuck at half time.
New London hammered out of the gate in the second half, catching Aspetuck napping in the first minute, adding seven points to the board with a try and subsequent conversion.
A moment later it was Aspetuck’s turn to inflict the damage with Ryan Robb landing yet another try to achieve a personal hat-trick. This time however, a strong gust of wind was to deny Redding’s Lewis Grassie of his long-range effort at goal, cruelly sweeping it just outside of the post at the last moment.
A battle of attrition followed, with the forwards of both sides duking it out in the breakdown, both teams winning and conceding ground in equal measure, providing plenty of action for opposing supporters.
In the end, the lads in gold proved too strong for the home team - two further tries and a conversion, all by Squance, sealed the game for the visitors, although a late two-try effort by the home side brought the score to a highly respectable New London 29, Aspetuck 38.
The U16s game that followed proved just as exciting for the visiting side with most of the Aspetuck players having to kit up straight away for another game. Redding’s Lewis Grassie threw down the gauntlet in the fifth minute with a well-executed try and a peach of a conversion.
New London battled away but were unable to find answers to a dominant Aspetuck Rugby forward pack, scrumming and rucking in perhaps their best display of the season.
Thumping breakdown play from the Aspetuck forwards translated into quality ball to the backs - Tim Squance taking full advantage to land a try in the 15th minute, successfully converted by Grassie.
Despite Aspetuck finding themselves a man down after disputing a penalty decision, the run of play continued with Grassie adding his second try in the 18th minute and converting, to round out the half 0-21 to the visitors.
New London appeared to have traded the traditional oranges for something stronger in the break, coming out for the second half like a different team and making their debut on the score sheet with a well-deserved try in the 24th minute.
A match turnaround for New London, courtesy of an aggressive rally by their backs, was looking a distinct possibility until Westport’s 8th grade Ben van der Merwe, playing his first game for Aspetuck U16s, felled a New London winger with a crunching tackle five meters from the goal line to deny the home side an almost certain try.
Aspetuck then launched into a ball-pounding assault, grinding the fight deep into New London territory and setting up Redding’s Oliver Hesketh-Tutton for a fabulous 15 yard run, swerving and sidestepping the New London defense to score his first try for Aspetuck and indeed the first try of his rugby career. Easton’s Tyler Dickinson followed it up with a cracking conversion that judged the wind perfectly to sail between the posts.
A late come-back by the home side saw seven more points added to the sheet but it was too late. A blistering run by Wilton’s JJ Jefferies and yet another barreling, burrowing effort by Squance saw two more tries added for the visitors to take the game well out of reach before the final whistle ended proceedings. New London 12, Aspetuck 38.
Special thanks to the hosts, New London County Rugby Club for two great games and a superb post-match feed.
For further information on playing rugby go to www.AspetuckRugby.Org
