Ashford’s hold loosening

Ashford are facing up to the prospect of a second successive relegation.

They failed to register a point for the second week running in this must-win London South East 3 match and now trail second- from- bottom Eastbourne by 14 points, with six games left.

Relegated l ast season, without winning any of their 22 games, they looked destined for the drop again.

Team manager Lloyd Stokes said: “The reality is, barring a massive points swing, we will be playing in Kent 1 next season.

“There is no doubt that the squad will fight until the bitter end to avoid this and the pleasing thing is that the issues they have faced this season have only served to galvanise the team spirit.”

The Kinneys Field club were forced into several changes and have now used more than 40 players this season, which seems to be the norm rather than the exception.

Lewis Remington was included in the squad, reward for some great performances and hard work in training, while Joe Lakin returned on the bench.

Will Welsh’s barnstorming r uns, and t he Ashford pack generally bossing the set-pieces, made for a good start by the visitors but their early pressure failed to produce any points, letting Bulls off the hook.

The home side, who also went t he whole 2014- 15 campaign without a victory, have struggled themselves this season but two victories, either side of the Christmas and new year break against Gillingham Anchorians and AYLESFORD ASHFORD Eastbourne have kept their hopes of staying up alive.

They started to exert their own pressure, getting on terms up front, the backs pulling the strings and looking dangerous with ball in hand,

An unconverted try put the Bulls in front. They added to their lead with a penalty, leading to Ashford falling off off some tackles and dropping their intensity.

Ashford, trailing 8- 0 at half-time, rang the changes for the second half, with

‘Barring a massive points swing, we will be playing in Kent 1 next season’

Lakin adding something going forward in the backs, while Nathan Wood’s excellent footwork almost saw him score.

Ben King and Danny Leech not for the first time were leading the way up front with fantastic work- rate and aggression, while Matt Richards made tackle after tackle in tandem with Shane Redman.

Despite all the positives, Ashford again lacked the composure to turn pressure into points allowed Aylesford to score three more tries, securing a bonus point and deserved winners