Promising start for new-look Aylesford
AYLESFORD FOLKESTONE
What a difference a year makes for Aylesford.
This time 12 months ago they had a crippling long-term injury list and lost their first eight games in London 3 South East.
It’s a different story this season, though, with injuries behind them and seven summer signings, including the return of Steve Stewart from Medway, transforming their prospects.
They started the campaign with an impressive victory over a Folkestone side who twice put 40 points on them last year.
There were two tries for Ben Turner on Saturday, with Dion Comerford, new signing Tom Hughes and Phil Wilkins taking Bulls’ try tally to five.
Comerford added three conversions, with one for another new recuit, John Rumsey.
Folkestone finished strongly but Aylesford were good value for their win.
There’s no talk of promotion challenges but Bulls are looking good.
Coach Jay Jenkins said: “We started pre-season in June and it’s put us in a far better place than we were at the start of last season.
“We had a weekend away for a training camp, too, which worked well because it allowed the players to gel. We were able to work on basic structure and things.
“We’ve recruited well, with seven new players coming into the senior squad, and quite a few are back from injury, Dion Comerford and the Batstone boys, Ed and James.
“We were all over the place last year and we ended up using 52 players in 22 league games, which is crazy.
“By hook or by crook, we managed to stay up and we are looking a lot stronger now but it’s one game at a time.”
Aylesford travel to league new boys Old Williamsonians on Saturday.
Jenkins said: “There’s still a lot of work to do and it’s important we focus on this game.
“Old Williamsonians have just come up from Kent 1 and they’ll be looking for someone’s scalp to make a statement.
“They were strong in Kent 1, they’re well coached and they have a good set-up. It’s up to us to deliver.”