Kentish Express Ashford & District
Missed chances prove costly
Ashford were pushed a step nearer Kent 1 next season courtesy of this latest London South East 3 defeat at Kinneys Field on Saturday.
Conceding a soft try saw them trail 10-7 at half-time, before two yellow cards reduced them to only 13 men in the second half. The Medway club took advantage, scoring twice, either side of Tom Hinckes ‘effort.
Team manager Lloyd Stokes said: “This again proved a story of good set-piece work, missed opportunities and a team low on confidence.
“With five games left, we aren’t mathematically out of it but it would require something extraordinary to stay up.”
Another must-win game saw ashford GILL aNChs Ashford start brightly, with the home pack dominating the scrum – Ben King and Craig Coggle doing well – and Chris English’s line-out work ensuring the hosts were winning consistent set-pieces.
However, a lack of precise handling led to several try-scoring chances going begging, allowing Anchs to get ahold in the game.
Wayward kicking allowed the visiting full-back to make some breaks and a strong running No.8 led to pressure
PW D L F A Ps Pulborough ... 17 14 0 3 518 294 70 Thanet Wdrs . 17 13 0 4 521 267 66 Haywrds Hth . 17 14 1 2 409 169 65 Lewes........... 17 12 0 5 470 337 61 Folkestone .... 17 11 0 6 462 380 56 Sheppey ....... 17 5 1 11 379 527 33 G’ham Anch .. 17 6 0 11 402 448 31 Aylesfrd Blls.. 17 5 1 11 304 463 28 Eastbourne ... 17 6 0 11 305 382 27 Park House ... 17 5 0 12 279 455 26 O D’stonians . 17 6 1 10 395 487 23 Ashford ......... 17 3 0 14 253 488 8
Ashford 12 Gillingham Anchorians 29, Eastbourne 50 Sheppey 3, Folkestone 7 Haywards Heath 31, Old Dunstonians 21 Pulborough 34, Park House 20 Lewes 36, Thanet Wanderers 19 Aylesford Bulls 22. on Ashford and the visitors eventually went 3-0 up through a penalty.
Ashford bounced back and more set-piece pressure led to Jack Weaver exploiting space, scampering over for a try, well converted by their man-of-thematch Steve Tanner.
The hosts continued to move the ball around well, only to switch off after scoring, and Anchs went over for a converted try to lead by three points at half-time.
Injuries led to changes at half-time, meaning a reshuffle but Ashford again started well after the restart.
However, they were unable to win favour with the referee with penalties and decisions going against them.
Two players were sin-binned – Anchorians’ quick scores taking the game away from the home side, despite Hinckes’ consolation try.