Cohen’s injury blow on return

Elliot Cohen looks set to be out for six weeks after suffering a dislocated elbow in Ashford Rugby Club’s win over Thanet Wanderers on Saturday.

The 18-year-old, playing only his second game back for the club after returning from Tonbridge Juddians, suffered the injury in a tackle.

Head coach Gregor Dougall said: “It was a freak accident, it went back in but soft tissue damage means he won’t be back now until after Christmas. We also lost Henry Hall, who was still feeling the effects of the neck injury picked up at Tunbridge Wells.”

Cohen – a 6ft 5in flanker – left with JJ Murray to play for Judds in the summer but having been looking forward to regular first team rugby with the London 1 South club, found his chances limited.

Dougall added: “He decided to come back and played with his mates and it’s been a big boost for the club.”

Ashford will look to build on their first London 2 South East success of the season when they

‘We can’t be complacent, this is a competitive league’

travel to winless Aylesford Bulls on Saturday.

Dougall added: “We can’t be complacent, this is a competitive league and every game is a tough.

“A struggling team can be a dangerous animal and they will be full of guts and determination and wanting to turn us over, so we will have to go there and perform even better than we did against Thanet and put it in for 80 minutes.”

“Henry may have been doubtful this weekend but misses the game due to other commitments, even so, we will be just as strong.”

Dougall was delighted his young side turned in a match-winning performance against Thanet, on the day the club hosted their latest pre-match lunch for the vicepresidents.

He added: “It was a great atmosphere with a lot of people watching.

“The vice-presidents I spoke to enjoyed the way we play and seeing us win our first ever game as a London 2 South club.”