Bulls buoyed by dominant show
AYLESFORD GILLINGHAM
Aylesford Bulls finished the year with a bang, registering their first bonus-point win of the season over rivals Gillingham Anchorians. Victory lifted them off the foot of London 3 South East and out of the bottom two. Bulls were looking to avenge an earlier defeat and with a hugely-improved side and a good run of form behind them, the signs looked good. But after a physically dominant first 40 minutes, the home side only led 7- 0, thanks to a show-and-go by new scrum-half Mike Lawton and the conversion from returning fly-half Will Kelley. Anchs had done well to withstand the pressure for so long and the message at half-time from Bulls coach Jay Jenkins was to not ease off and allow them back into the game. Bulls received it loud and clear, continued to build on their strength up front and after a break downfield, replacement hooker Ben Pass crossed in the corner from the back of a driving maul for 12- 0. Kelley’s boot kept Anchs pinned deep in their own half and Bulls won a scrum five metres out. After one reset, the home pack turned the screw, marching their opponents back and winning a penalty try, with Anchs losing a player to the sin-bin. Kelley converted to bring the score to 19- 0. Anchs put points on the board thanks to a tap penalty taken after prop Ed McConnell left the pitch for infringing at the ruck. Undeterred, Bulls strung together some of the best rugby they have played all season to work their way back up the pitch. Then, thanks to a brilliant crossfield kick from Kelley, winger Jamie Carmillet scored unopposed in the corner to stretch the score to 24-7. Bulls weren’t done yet though, and again Kelley employed his impressive footwork, dissecting the defence with a deft grubber kick which was gathered by full-back Dion Comerford, who crossed under the posts. Captain Darren Jalink said: “This was a fantastic performance to end the year on, with an exemplary display of forward dominance, in particular in the front row. “It was a great result to take into the Christmas break and we now turn our attention to a tough away fixture against Pulborough on January 7.” Aylesford: McConnell, Jalink, Hollister, Murdoch, Mayhew, Savignon, Proctor, Webdale, Lawton, Kelley, Carmillet, M Geer, J Batstone, Goodrich, Comerford. Replacements: Pass, Wilkins, Rowe.