Ashfield opened their season with an emphatic 36–7 victory over Nottinghamians, built on a display of scrum dominance, defensive resilience, and superior fitness that carried them comfortably through the full 80 minutes.

From the opening whistle, Nottinghamians started aggressively, pinning Ashfield inside their own 22. But the first set-piece battle set the tone for the afternoon – Ashfield’s pack heaved their counterparts backwards, forcing a reset and sending a clear message of intent. Despite early pressure, Ashfield’s defence held firm, and a turnover saw them surge upfield. A clever chip over the top from Brad found Tyler in support, who dotted down for the opening try.

Nottinghamians responded with a converted score of their own, but Ashfield’s forwards reasserted control almost immediately. Time and again, their scrummaging proved irresistible, driving their opponents backwards and forcing mistakes. Captain Jake led from the front with a powerful run and stretch over the line for Ashfield’s second try, giving his side a narrow 10–7 advantage at the break.

The second half was where Ashfield’s superior conditioning truly shone. Relentless defensive organisation kept Nottinghamians pinned deep in their half, while quick, sharp handling from the backs unlocked opportunities out wide. Polly’s first try under the posts, converted by Brad, extended the lead, before repeated scrum dominance forced the visitors to go uncontested – much to the frustration of Ashfield’s pack, who had relished their supremacy.

With Nottinghamians tiring and suffering injuries, Ashfield’s fitness told. Sustained pressure and crisp passing moves saw Polly claim a well-earned hat-trick, including two scores in the corner finished with confidence. Cal and Tyler continued to probe with darting runs, while Bellis produced a textbook jackal to turn over possession in a key moment. The final say belonged to captain Jake, who capped his commanding performance by slotting the closing conversion to seal a 36–7 victory.

Ashfield can take great pride in a commanding performance where their scrum proved the decisive weapon, their defensive wall remained unbroken for long spells, and their preseason conditioning gave them the edge in the closing stages. A statement win to open the campaign – and one that lays down a clear marker for the season ahead.