Kent Messenger Maidstone

Bulls take a backward step

ASHFORD AYLESFORD

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Another tough game for Aylesford Bulls ended in a frankly abysmal defeat against old foes Ashford.

Despite their failure to find a win so far this season, the Hall Road side sit third from bottom in London 3 South East, above Ashford and Old Dunstonian­s who have both been deducted points.

Saturday’s clash started in unfamiliar fashion with a usually dominant Bulls pack travelling backwards at speed from two scrums, resulting in two quick tries and after 15 minutes Aylesford found themselves trailing by 12 points.

But the young side, with five academy players – two of whom were on debut – managed to crank up the pressure on an ill-discipline­d Ashford.

Bulls’ scrum had finally woken up and after sustained pressure and a yellow card for the hosts, Dion Comerford slotted a penalty from close range.

This revival continued for the remainder of the half and soon Comerford added to his tally, skipping round defenders to run in under the posts and convert his own try, bringing Bulls within two points at half-time.

What followed was a capitulati­on of mammoth proportion­s. Despite the fact there was everything to play for, Bulls allowed an early Ashford score and the home crowd to get to their heads and switched off for a 20-minute period they’ll hope to forget.

Ashford ran in two more tries and things didn’t improve in the final quarter for the Bulls and a questionab­le penalty try followed by a final score brought an end to a miserable afternoon.

Tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm) Bulls welcome promotionp­ushing Thanet to the Jack Williams Ground. Aylesford: Lott, Goodrich, Turner, Ingram, Gilchrist, Comerford, Carmillet; McConnell, Pass, Hollister, O’Doherty, Gray, Fitzpatric­k, Jalink, Savignon. Replacemen­ts: Sutton, Kenny, MacDonagh- Brown.

 ?? Pictures: Paul Amos FM4551666; FM4551673, right ?? Aylesford look to get the ball out quickly and, right, try to stop Ashford
Pictures: Paul Amos FM4551666; FM4551673, right Aylesford look to get the ball out quickly and, right, try to stop Ashford
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