Kentish Express Ashford & District
Fussell vows to stay at the helm
ASHFORD CAPtAin SAYS HE WiLL CARRY On in CHARGE
Rhys Fussell is vowing not to walk away as Ashford face up to the prospect of a return to London South East 3 next season.
This latest reverse against the third-bottom team in London South East 2 condemned the Kinneys Field outfit to a 16th successive defeat but first season skipper Fussell insists he won’t jump ship and says he is already preparing for next season.
He said: “Crowborough offered a lot more than we expected and we didn’t click.
“We again had a couple of chances that could have led to tries had we been more clinical.”
Looking ahead, he added: “We have got six games left and are aiming to go out and enjoy our rugby, playing with no pressure and looking to spoil a few people’s parties.
He added: “I will carry on. It’s been a big learning curve for me and the team this season but I have got respect of the boys and will stick by them.
“We are a young side, there are more boys coming through the ranks and we will try and retain players as well as going out and recruiting others.”
Crowborough, who arrived having played ASHFORD CROWBOROUGH only two games this year, led 3-0 before Henry Hall levelled with Ashford’s only score after the visitors failed to release a tackled player.
An unconverted try put Crowborough 8-3 up at half-time.
Three second-half tries, one of them converted, secured the visitors a bonus point, keeping them five clear of Thanet Wanderers who look set to make the drop with Ashford, two seasons after the clubs went up as champions and runners-up.
Ashford 2nds lost 40-5 against Dover 2nds in Shepherd Neame Premier 2 East at Crabble.
They were up against an experienced and much heavier home side with the conditions against any skilful play.
Dover adapted better and led 40-0 after an hour, before Ashford’s only score.
David Donaghy, back from a long-term injury, hassled the Dover scrum-half before charging down his rash clearance.
Max Jordan’s hat-trick of tries helped Ashford 3rds beat Dover 4ths 26-0 in Dragon Fire 4 East.
Meanwhile, Ashford Girls face Aylesford Bulls in the South East Cup under-15s final on Sunday.
The under-13s have already booked their place in the final and are waiting to find out who they will play next month.
Coach Liz Ashby has been pleased with the progress of both age groups teams and is hopeful for a double success.
PW D L F A Ps Sevenoaks .... 16 15 0 1 617 151 72 Tun Wells ...... 15 15 0 0 544 156 70 Dartfordians.. 16 11 0 5 403 267 53 Deal/Bettes ... 16 11 0 5 266 224 48 Beckenham .. 16 10 0 6 296 219 47 Horsham ....... 16 8 0 8 412 365 45 O Colfeians ... 16 6 0 10 245 339 30 O Alleynians .. 16 5 0 11 268 407 27 Hove ............. 15 4 1 10 250 425 25 Crowboro ...... 14 4 1 9 176 268 23 Thanet Wdrs . 16 4 0 12 174 396 18 Ashford ......... 16 0 0 16 110 544 5
Ashford 3 Crowborough 25, Dartfordians 31 Old Alleynians 26, Hove 5 Deal & Bettes 17, Old Colfeians 10 T Wells 29, Sevenoaks 40 Horsham 7, Thanet Wanderers 8 Beckenham 10.
Beckenham v Hove, Crowborough v Old Colfeians, Deal & Betteshanger v Sevenoaks, Horsham v Ashford, Thanet Wanderers v Old Alleynians, T Wells v Dartfordians.