Loss inevitable after poor start

Conceding 24 points inside the opening half hour proved Ashford’s undoing as they finished on the wrong end of another heavy London 3 SE defeat at Beckenham on Saturday.

One plus point in a disappointing campaign has been good starts but even that was missing here, as poor tackling, ill-discipline and some dubious decision making, allowed experienced and physically superior Dunstonians to take control.

Matt Richards’ well-worked try was Ashford’s only score as they went in 31-5 down at half-time.

Changes saw Ayron Lakin make his first team debut, one which he will no doubt remember but perhaps for the wrong reasons.

He acquitted himself well against a back three who ran some sharp lines and were blessed with pace and have stood out all season. O DUNSTONIAN ASHFORD

Dunstonians increased their lead before Ashford’s best spell of the game led to a second score, Jack Weaver dropping a lovely kick over the defence for Rhys Fussell to collect and score under the posts.

Two quick tries added to the home side’s total, before Andy Ticehurst scored A sh ford’s th ird , converted by Steve Tanner. Ashford now were in the ascendancy as Old D’s began to make countless errors and were punished for some reckless work at the breakdown However, they added two more scores as Ashford battled in vain for a fourth themselves, as a losing bonus point eluded them. Ashford finish the season with two home games – Sheppey on Saturday followed by a Kent derby against Thanet Wanderers on April 8. In last week’s Kentish Express we reported that Ashford Vets won the Spitfire Gold Plate Final at Maidstone. In fact Westcombe Park were the winners, beating Ashford 17-12. We apologise for the error. PW D L F A Ps Pulborough ... 20 17 0 3 661 356 84 Haywards H .. 20 17 1 2 524 213 80 Thanet Wdrs . 20 15 0 5 608 323 75 Folkestone .... 20 13 0 7 555 442 67 Lewes........... 20 12 0 8 502 429 63 O D’stonians . 20 9 1 10 527 542 38 Sheppey ....... 20 6 1 13 428 614 38 G’ham Anch.. 20 7 0 13 439 521 36 Aylesfrd Bull . 20 6 1 13 360 529 34 Park House ... 20 6 0 14 317 530 31 Eastbourne ... 20 6 0 14 348 464 28 Ashford......... 20 4 0 16 313 619 13 Aylesford Bulls 36 Lewes 0, Eastbourne 19 Thanet Wanderers 21, Gillingham Anchorians 24 Park House 3, Old Dunstonians 62 Ashford 19, Pulborough 54 Folkestone 26, Sheppey 12 Haywards Heath 41. Ashford v Sheppey, Folkestone v Eastbourne, Haywards Heath v Aylesford Bulls, Lewes v Gillingham Anchorians, Park House v Pulborough, Thanet Wanderers v Old Dunstonians.