Home comforts for Bulls
Aylesford Bulls had too much for Dartford Valley as they returned to Kent 2 action with a 27-5 home win.
Bulls’ line speed kept Valley at bay for much of the first half, even when reduced to 13 men after Jack Ireland and then Paul Cooper were sent to the bin for straying offside.
The hosts produced a mature performance belying the side’s relative young age, scrum-half Fin Ashdown-Denney, a product of Bulls’ strong youth section, shining on his debut and Ryan Fuller marking his 50th appearance with a solid display at full-back.
Bulls struck first through winger Russell Trundle, with Chester Clough adding the extras, and then courtesy of captain Ben Pass, who pounced on a stray lineout ball. Clough again converted.
Valley hit back after sustained try-line pressure, barrelling through defenders and touching down next to the posts. But Clough denied them two more points by charging down the kick. He was then on hand to stretch Bulls’ lead with a penalty in the opening phases of the second half.
After half an hour of relative stalemate winger Barnaby Brown finished a trainingground move strongly out wide to bring Bulls to within a score of a bonus point.
It fell to Ed Mead, playing at No.8 but popping up in the midfield, to put the icing on the cake. Gathering from outside the 22 he outpaced the opposition winger to slide over in the corner.
Bulls, in fifth, now have a week off before travelling to
Westcombe Park on March 2. Aylesford Bulls Ladies lost to Horsham 22-38 on Sunday. They’re next in action against Farnham on March 10.
Also in Kent 2, Maidstone lost 41-12 at home to Park House. Maidstone, in eighth, return to league action at Folkestone on March 2.
Cranbrook remain rooted to the foot of the Kent 1 table after they were beaten 36-15 at home to third-placed Dartfordians on Saturday.
They will aim to end their eight-match losing run at home to Thanet Wanderers this weekend.