Kentish Express Ashford & District
Bubble quickly burst
Rugby
Ashford coach Chris Dengate was disappointed his team did not do themselves justice in Saturday’s 19-5 home defeat to Cranbrook in Shepherd Neame Kent 1.
Dengate had been hoping Ashford could build on their 60-0 opening day victory over Royal Bank of Scotland but they were taught a lesson in finishing by the visitors who led 19-0 at half-time.
The home side also fell foul of the referee whose inconsistency they felt often left them on the wrong end of decisions.
Dengate said: “All credit to Cranbrook they put in a good turn and deserved to win but I was disappointed because I know we can play much better.
“We won the up-front battle but did not win the out-wide battle and that’s something we’re constantly working on to improve.
“I’m not one to moan about officials but the man in the middle did not help at times – maybe we have to be a bit more adaptable in those situations.”
Cranbrook started well and were soon on the scoresheet. They continued to dominate and by the end of the opening 40 minutes they had racked up 19 points without reply.
There were many watching who were bemused by the constant number of decisions which went against Ashford but the home side were their own worst enemies by constantly questioning and often arguing the decisions rather than just walking away.
The second half was slightly different in that Ashford got over the line courtesy of Farai Myezwa to score their only points of the game.
However, despite a fair amount of pressure, they were unable to convert the advantage into any more points to suffer their first defeat of the season.
Dengate added: “I was raging on Saturday that we did not do ourselves justice, particularly with our decision-making. Too
Ashford 5 Cranbrook 19, Gillingham Anchorians 46 Sittingbourne 7, HSBC 24 Royal Bank of Scotland 25, King’s College Hospital 34 Southwark Lancers 19, Old Gravesendians 0 Beccehamians 34, Vigo 37 New Ash Green 35.
Beccehamians v Ashford, Cranbrook v HSBC, New Ash Green v Gillingham Anchorians, Royal Bank of Scotland v Kings College Hospital, Sittingbourne v Old Gravsendians, Southwark Lancers v Vigo. often we did the silly things rather than the right things but the boys were upset afterwards and that’s good because it shows they care.”
Dengate expects a positive r e acti on when Ashford travel to Beccehamians on Saturday.
The south Londoners have two wins from two and Dengate said: “We wanted to be going there with two wins from two but what better chance is there to bounce back than against the leaders.”