Dengate’s men held

The match turned into an end-to-end affair with each team enjoying the lead and trailing as the game progressed.

Ashford’s pack showed its ability to dominate proceedings, and it was just reward that the team’s three tries all came from the forwards, particularly on a day when the backs failed to fire on all cylinders.

Tries came from Adam Knight, as ever an inspirational captain; Owen Piper, whose physicality breached the defence on numerous occasions; and Dan Brown, who combined wile with power.

While the back division did not show up as a unit, scrum-half Ben Gray gave an outstanding performance, proving to be exceptional with ball in hand and contributing 12 points to the team’s total.

As the game drew to a close, Ashford were seeking to defend a three-point lead, but a 75th minute penalty allowed Dunstonians to draw level.

In the closing minutes, both teams had an opportunity to snatch a win, Ashford with a penalty, Dunstonians with a drop goal, but both efforts were thwarted as the strong wind diverted the kicks wide.

As a result, Ashford now are in second place in the table, trailing Folkestone – who have played one game more – by two points.

This week, attention turns to another away game, this time against Old Williamsonians, currently near the bottom of the league. But there will be no complacency, with Chris Dengate keen to sharpen up the team’s focus in training this week.

Ashford: Alkin, Kemp, Blyth, Ticehurst, Myezwa, Cooper, Gray, Brown, B Knight, Redman, A Knight, Piper, Norman, Sherrin, Dengate. Replacements: Huxted, Vidler, Lockerby.