Bulls fail to build on early score
SHEPPEY AYLESFORD
A dream start petered out as Aylesford failed to turn pressure into points in a frantic final few minutes last Saturday.
The opening game of the season and a trip to Sheppey was never going to be easy for a team who first trained together last Thursday.
But they made a good start when a catch and drive saw second row Pete Webdale touch down inside five minutes.
The early pressure continued, with several big hits and a solid defensive line leaving Sheppey struggling to make inroads.
However, a lapse in concentration down the flank allowed the hosts to cross in the bottom corner, levelling the scores at half-time.
The second half started in a similarly physical fashion, with several of the home side’s players having to bow out early.
Despite this – and the fact Sheppey’s front row seemed to be competing with each other to see who could stand up quickest – their No.8 powered across the line from the back of a messy scrum.
Scrum-half Jamie Carmillet’s false start as he attempted to chase down the conversion led to a missed kick, which was successfully retaken for a 12-5 lead.
Aylesford’s pack started turning the screw in the scrum, with Sheppey’s eight regularly travelling backwards at a rate of knots.
This culminated in two damaging scrums well within the Islanders’ 22, which saw their loose head prop sinbinned and winger Lewis Goodrich capitalising on quick ball from the base and working his way over for a second unconverted try.
Sheppey’s hooker and Webdale were sin-binned after a clash, with the final minutes played out in slow motion as Bulls attempted to make their way out of a packed 22.
Aylesford visit Gillingham Anchorians in London 3 South East tomorrow (Saturday). Aylesford: Geer, Ingram, Millsom, Geer, Gilchrist, Proctor, Carmillet; McConnell, Pass, Jalink, O’Doherty, Webdale, Savignon, Huppatz, Wilkins. Replacements: Hollister, Hargreaves, Goodrich.