Fourth away win in a row best of the lot

Ashford made it four wins in a row, all away from home, but Saturday’s victory at King’s College Hospital in Kent 1 was perhaps the best performance of the lot as the team continue to grow in confidence.

Consistency of selection has played a big factor in Ashford’s recent upturn.

Team manager Lloyd Stokes said: “Having a real core of players training week in, week out and being available is without doubt helping the side to grow and they’re constantly learning from their experiences.”

Ashford started the game at their now customary fast pace and played all of the rugby in the first quarter as King’s College seemed unable to match their physicality, particularly around the breakdown where the dominated.

A smart reverse pass from Charlie Colman fed Chris Baker, who in turn found captain Rhys Fussell who sped away to score the opening try, converted by Steve Tanner.

Ashford continued to apply the pressure and should have scored more points but lacked the final pass and a visitors KING’S COLL HOSP ASHFORD little composure at the vital moments. King’s started to wake up and soon scored a well-worked try, which was converted for 7-7.

Just before half-time and with the scores locked at 7-7, Callum Stuckey fed Dan Brown who trundled down the flank to touch down and make it 12-7 at half-time.

Ashford scored three points through a penalty and at 12-10 the game was in the balance but the visitors stepped up their work.

They started utilising the power plays in the pack and some smart hands from the backline saw Fussell score his second and Ashford’s third,try, converted by Tanner.

King’s, however, responded with a converted try and were only two pints behind with five minutes left.

Ashford are now a different side and rather than crumble they stayed focused, played smart rugby to gain territory and when a penalty was awarded, they kicked to the 22. The lineout which worked well all game was taken by Stuckey and Ashford proceeded to drive their opposition straight into the goal posts and allow Brown to go over the line. Tanner again converted and Ashford had won their fourth game on the bounce. Stokes said: “The challenge now is to put together an 80 minute performance and with more games before the Christmas break, they need to be pushing hard as there’s clearly a lot more to come from this side.” Ashford are without a league game this weekend but return to action at home to HSBC on Saturday, December 9. Ashford 2nds kept up their winning ways with a 39-15 victory over Medway 4ths. The result took them back to the top of the Late Red 3 League, equal on points with Vigo 2nds. Ashford 3rds made the short trip to play Ashford Barbarians and returned with a 39-5 win The result leaves them in fourth position in the Cinque Four East League. Ashford under-12s hosted a round of the East Kent Cup on Sunday, beating both Folkestone and Whitstable and booking their place in the next round of the cup, a competition they won two seasons ago. PW D L F Beccehamian A Ps 10 10 0 0 332 107 G’ham Anch.. 10 48 7 0 3 334 181 35 Cranbrook..... 10 7 0 3 262 145 35 Vigo .............. 10 7 0 3 299 197 35 Kings Hosp ... 10 6 0 4 254 230 31 Ashford......... 10 6 0 4 248 221 29 New Ash Grn. 10 3 1 6 162 263 19 Old G’send .... 10 3 0 7 200 242 17 Sittingbrne.... 10 2 1 7 197 319 16 RBS .............. 10 4 0 6 162 267 13 Southwark L . 10 2 0 8 140 262 13 HSBC............ 10 2 0 8 165 321 12 Beccehamian 24 Southwark Lancers 0, Cranbrook 14 Vigo 8, HSBC 27 Old Gravesendians College 24, King’s Hospital 17 Ashford Royal 26, Bank of Scotland 5 Anchorians Gillingham 24, Sittingbourne 22 Ash Green New 22.

‘The challenge is now to put in an 80-minute performance’