Seconds beaten

Ashford 2nds were beaten 32-7 by Deal & Betteshanger in Kent Rural League Division 3.

Early pressure produced a score for the visitors, before an individual try by Matt Richards, converted by Steve Golden, gave Ashford a 7-5 lead.

That was, however, the high point of the game for Ashford, and the loss of a player to a yellow card provided the opening for the visitors to build a half-time lead of 19-5.

Ashford were more in evidence in the second half but were unable to add to their tally. The visitors scored twice against the run of play to round off the scoring at 32-7.

Man of the match for the home side was Ben Askey-Brown, one of the group of promising youngsters in the team.

■ Ashford Under 13s played their first away fixture of the season on Sunday. Slightly down on numbers due to half-term, a squad of 15 boys travelled to face Sittingbourne. From the off, both sides tested their opponents’ defence, but Ashford proved more effective, as reflected in the final score of a 7-1 tries total. There was both good teamwork and individual skills on display which bodes well for the rest of the season,

Ashford’s Under 14s hosted Sittingbourne, both squads smaller than usual again due to half term. Sittingbourne started strongly, but Ashford’s fitness began to dominate proceedings and they finished the half with a 47-0 lead. The scoring continued in the second half, with the home side running out 86-0 winners. There were notable contributions from Curt Curtis and Josh Collins, respectively forward and back of the day.