Kentish Express Ashford & District
Young side gaining experience
A young Ashford side learned another harsh lesson, against London South East 3 leaders Pulborough on Saturday.
The team, including nine players 21 or under, may have suffered a heavy defeat but left club officials proud of the performance against a side clearly in the mood to make the most of facing inexperienced opponents.
Manager Lloyd Stokes said: “Our skipper Rhys Fussell was a constant source of positivity and excellent leadership and alongside the more experienced trio of Danny Leech, Brad King and Steve Tanner, formed a group who motivated and inspired the young side all game.
“The youngsters learned a lot, not least the levels of fitness that are required to challenge in this league.
“This was an experience, though, which will be a huge benefit in the future.”
Six tries in the final 22 minutes highlighted the superior fitness and strength but there were still many Ashford positives.
Charlie Norman had an excellent game, eventually covering both prop positions. Mason Pilcher, only 17, was superb in the second row, making life difficult for the opposition with his no-nonsense approach and Lewis Remington was another impressive performer.
PW D L F A Ps Pulborough ... 18 15 0 3 575 308 75 Thanet Wdrs . 18 14 0 4 565 272 71 Haywrds Hth . 18 15 1 2 440 179 70 Lewes........... 18 12 0 6 480 350 62 Folkestone .... 18 12 0 6 503 380 61 Sheppey ....... 18 6 1 11 392 537 37 G’ham Anch .. 18 6 0 12 407 492 31 O D’stonians . 18 7 1 10 429 499 28 Aylesfrd Blls.. 18 5 1 12 304 504 28 Eastbourne ... 18 6 0 12 317 416 27 Park House ... 18 5 0 13 289 486 26 Ashford ......... 18 3 0 15 267 545 8
Aylesford Bulls 0 Folkestone 41, Eastbourne 12 Old Dunstonians 34, Gillingham Anchorians 5 Thanet Wanderers 44, Haywards Heath 31 Park House 10, Pulborough 57 Ashford 14, Sheppey 13 Lewes 10.
Ashford v Eastbourne, Folkestone v Gillingham Anchorians, Lewes v Haywards Heath, Old Dunstonians v Sheppey, Park House v Aylesford Bulls, Thanet Wanderers v Pulborough.
Nonington 83 all out (M Sadler 40, Jo Godden 3-26, Je Godden 2-22) lost to Mersham-le-Hatch 85-4 (Jo Godden 31, Je Godden 25) by 2 wickets.
The young half-backs Jack Weaver and Gray showed plenty of potential, Harry Norman had a solid game on the wing as did Macaulay Jordan until injury ended his game early.
Pulborough opened with two quick tries, before Will Welsh’s score, converted by Tanner made it 10-7.
Another home try made it 15-7 at half-time, after a foot in touch was missed by the line judge.
Ashford’s pack matched the opposition in the scrum – Danny Leech’s leadership ensuring an improved showing in that department.
Pulborough enjoyed success, moving the ball wide in precise fashion, allowing powerful runners to tear through Ashford’s defence several times.
Ashford responded with a second well-worked try, Andy Ticehurst receiving the ball down the blind side to score a well-earned team try, Tanner again converting out wide.
Pulborough’s fly-half continued to pull the strings and three tries saw the home side past the half century. Lloyd Stokes PULBOROUGH ASHFORD