United suffer Phillips blow

Ashford Rugby Club have explained the reasons why they have started the new London South East 3 campaign carrying a 10-point deduction. The punishment was handed down by the RFU after the Kinneys Field outfit were charged with fielding two ineligible players against Horsham last season. They lost the game on February 20 62-7. Chairman John Norman said: “We appeared before a disciplinary hearing, held our hands up, admitted the charge and have moved on.” The club head to Park House in Bromley on Saturday, looking for their first

Pictures: Paul Amos FM4506105; FM4506082, inset Ashford captain Rhys Fussell attempts to evade a Folkestone tap tackle at Kinneys Field on Saturday. Inset, the hosts look for support. Match report, page 64