Bulls off mark at last!
Aylesford Bulls finally got their first win of the Kent 1 season with a 23-21 victory over second-placed Beccehamian on Saturday.
Following a disappointing 12-3 defeat against Ashford the previous week, Bulls might not have expected much from a clash with the high-flyers. And the first half didn’t give them much to celebrate, either. Bulls played well at points and took some sensible penalties, going 3-0 up, before
Beccs pulled in front with a converted try.
Full-back Chester Clough added a second penalty to his tally to close the gap to one point, but the visitors crossed twice more before half-time to put gloss on what was a tightlymatched first period.
Bulls had a lot of work to do and the arrival of replacement tight-head Jordan O’Leary, fresh from three weeks out with injury, delivered a welcome injection of aggression. Within minutes the Beccs scrum was motoring back and a penalty awarded to Bulls.
The resulting waves of attack had the visitors pinned back into their 22 and some wellexecuted phase play eventually opened the door for Harry Sievewright to dive over under the posts.
Clough added the extras to bring the score to 21-13. Buoyed by the early change in fortunes, Bulls upped the pressure and soon were back in the opposition 22.
Tight play kept Beccs’ impressive counter attack at bay and, beginning to get frustrated, they began conceding penalties. Clough added three more from the tee to close the gap to within one score.
Calm play has been Bulls’ downfall when they’ve previously been in such positions this season but they kept their heads and trundled back up the pitch.
Once again wave after wave of tight forward play put Beccs under pressure and eventually it was flanker James Alexander who would be the beneficiary.
His try tied the game and Clough, reliable with the boot all afternoon, slotted the extras to put Bulls in front with minutes to go.
From the restart No.8 Phil Wilkins swerved around defenders before scarpering down the touchline. His kick was gathered by Beccs but a penalty for a ruck infringement followed.
Bulls were themselves penalised at the resultant scrum but Beccs’ counter was eventually snuffed out to bring to an end a dramatic encounter at the Jack Williams Memorial Ground.
Bulls travel to Charlton Park this Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.