Bulls miss out
Aylesford Bulls blew arguably their best chance at a win since promotion to Kent 1 on Saturday. Ashford travelled to the Jack Williams Ground and Bulls dominated possession in the first 40, but failed to add to an early Chester Clough penalty.
Ashford’s defence held strong throughout and, on the counterattack, some big runs pushed them back up the pitch.
But as with so many games this season, Bulls were caught napping early in the second period. Ashford broke down the wing and their hooker crashed over to make it 5-3. A converted Ashford score followed and Bulls, down to 14 after centre Matt Duffy was punished with a team yellow card for straying offside, had a lot of work to do.
Bulls should have been given a penalty try when an Ashford player got sin-binned for slapping a pass down five metres out.
It was the last chance of an underwhelming display would offer, with the game finishing 12-3.
Bulls host high-flying Beccehamian this Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.
Resilient Cranbrook responded well after finding themselves
17-0 down to win 40-24 at Thanet Wanderers in Kent 1 on Saturday. Before half-time, Cranbrook scored twice, once after winger Beau Archer made the first of several telling breaks. Hooker Kenny Magisco was in support and provided the try-scoring pass to scrum-half George Robertson. Cranbrook had a tapped penalty close to the try-line and Josh
Pankhurst scored, making it 17-14. In the second half, a nice run by centre Rory Goodger ended in a penalty to the visitors and, from the tap, Tom Humphreys dived over. Although Thanet responded with another close-range try to retake the lead, Cranbrook again had Archer to thank as his right-wing run found captain Josh Curtis in support to
score by the posts.
The game was clinched after 75 minutes as returning fly-half Alex Cornwallis broke a tackle to score, while the last score was a fine individual effort from full-back Theo Rimmer.
Cranbrook host leaders Old Alleynians this Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.