Kentish Express Ashford & District
Weaver try the best of seven
Jack Weaver’s impressive solo score was the highlight as Ashford scored seven tries to run out easy winners against Aylesford Bulls on Saturday
Team manager Lloyd Stokes described it as one of the best ever scored on the ground in a match between two sides at the wrong end of the London South East 3.
The victory means that Ashford have now wiped out the 10-point deduction imposed by the RFU after the club admitted four breaches of regulations.
They now have Bulls and Old Dunstonians – also handed a 15-point penalty recently – in their sights as they bid to climb the table.
Coach Darren Hall said: “I was pleased with the performance and it was a good result, much needed at this crucial time of the season,
“We have long journey ahead but the more performances we can deliver like this, the more capable we are of overcoming the challenges ahead.”
Andy Ticehurst moved from lock to flanker and put down a big marker to retain the spot with 80 minutes of physicality and hard work.
Jake Fletcher returned in the second row after injury, while Tom Kane made his 1st XV season’s bow. Dan Brown’s fifth try of the season converted by skipper Rhys Fussell and Fletcher’s score put Ashford 12-0 ahead after 15 minutes.
The home side’s dominance should have seen Ashford put the game beyond doubt by half time, only for ill-discipline and complacency to hamper their progress.
They conceded numerous penalties, Bulls kicking one of them, before a yellow card for a late ASHFORD AYLESFORD challenge reduced the hosts to 14, a little harsh but a decision that couldn’t be argued with.
Bulls pressure was rewarded with a converted try shortly before half- time, leaving Ashford 12-10 ahead.
Harsh words at half-time and substitutions in the pack had the desired effect, with Ashford responding in fine style and playing the best half of rugby for the last couple of seasons.
Brown scored his second try, only for Ashford to have another player sin-binned after a tussle between both teams.
Weaver capped an exceptional game with the score of the match, picking up a kick return on his own 22, then racing down the nearside touchline, evading numerous tackles before accelerating past despairing challenges to the line. Tom Hinckes converted to put Ashford 24-10 up.
The hosts now had the bit between their teeth as the Bulls defence started to collapse. Ben King popped up out wide to score his second try of the season, again converted.
The scrum continued to be a superb attacking platform and after some cynical attempts by Aylesford to collapse it – the referee was left with no choice but to award a penalty try.
Man-of-the-match Weaver rounded things off, making the most of a poor Aylesford scrum. The ball popped out and he accelerated away to score his second try of the game.
Ashford are away to Gillingham Anchorians on Saturday.
PWD Pulborough ......... 6 6 0 Thanet Wndrs ..... 6 4 0 Folkestone .......... 6 4 0 Haywards Heath . 6 5 0 Lewes................. 6 3 0 Eastbourne ......... 6 3 0 Gill Anchorians.... 6 2 0 Sheppey ............. 6 2 0 Park House ......... 6 2 0 Aylesford Bulls .... 6 0 0 Old Dunston ........ 6 3 0 Ashford ............... 6 2 0 L F A Ps 0 200 90 28 2 197 102 22 2 194 133 21 1 140 62 18 3 141 145 16 3 119 121 15 4 133 167 12 4 130 178 12 4 106 144 11 6 82 184 2 3 157 197 1 4 99 175 0
Ashford 41 Aylesford Bulls 10, Eastbourne 17 Pulborough 45, Folkestone 36 Lewes 10, Old Dunstonians 45 Gillingham Anchorians 31, Park House 25 Sheppey 21, Thanet Wanderers 9 Haywards Heath 13.
Aylesford v Thanet W, Gill Anchs v Ashford, Haywards Heath v Folkestone, Lewes v Park House, Pulborough v Old Dunstonians, Sheppey v Eastbourne.