Kentish Express Ashford & District
Redman snatches win
AYLESFORD 20 ASHFORD 26
A tense derby went to the wire, with Shane Redman producing a late moment of magic to grab the deciding score for Ashford and a bonus point win.
The victory leaves Ashford top of London 3 South East, five points ahead of Folkestone with a game in hand.
The opening exchanges were fast and furious, with the larger Aylesford pack seeking to use their bulk to force a breakthrough, but it was Ashford who took the lead.
A break by Redman took play into the Aylesford 22 and from the breakdown scrum-half Ben Gray moved play to the right.
Quick hands by Ben Cooper and Rory Beech created the yard of space that allowed Farai Myezwa to score in the corner. Ben Gray’s kick extended the lead to 7-0.
Ashford’s second try followed soon after, when a run by Henry Hall opened up the Aylesford defence. Quick reprocessing allowed Ashford to attack on the right, where good anticipation by Charlie Colman left him well placed to accept Beech’s pass and score.
Ashford’s spell of ascendancy came to an end after the first quarter. In the 26th minute Aylesford kicked a penalty following handling in the ruck. A second penalty was kicked soon after, bringing the score to 12-6.
Just before the end of the half, Ashford responded with a converted try. From a lineout, they moved the ball to the left wing, and a perfectly weighted pass by Ben Cooper allowed Andy Ticehurst to take the ball at full pace, his speed and strength proving too much for the Aylesford defence.
Ashford’s cause took a knock at the start of the second half when captain Adam Knight suffered a back injury and couldn’t continue. His loss proved disruptive and allowed the home team to seize the initiative. In the 50th minute, Ashford lost control of a scrum near their line and Aylesford snapped up the chance to gain possession and score. The successful conversion left them one score behind at 19-13.
Following a scrum close to the Ashford line, the Aylesford scrum-half broke to the blind side, drew the defender and released his winger for a score. The subsequent conversion saw Aylesford take a 20-19 lead.
A 65th minute penalty offered an opportunity for Aylesford to extend their advantage, but this was squandered.
The miss acted as a boost to Ashford who showed a more positive approach. Aylesford’s scrum-half was yellow carded in the 70th minute and this proved a defining moment as Ashford grew in confidence, taking play deeper and deeper into the Aylesford half.
Ashford were awarded a kickable penalty that would have regained the lead, but a rush of blood saw them take a quick tap penalty, seeking to score out wide. This move floundered, but just when all seemed lost Redman secured possession, and using a combination of power and guile slid past three Aylesford defenders to score Ashford’s fourth, and bonus winning, try that Ben Gray converted to establish a 26-20 lead.
Ashford: Henry Hall, Farai Myezwa, Charlie Colman, Rorbeech, Andy Ticehurst, Ben Cooper, Ben Gray; Callum Stuckey, Shane Redman, Ben Knight, Will Welsh, Adam Knight, Charlie Norman, Jack Lockerby, Marc Huxted. Replacements: Chris Dengate, Will Alkin, Chris Sargent.
London 3 South East results: Aylesford 20
Ashford 26, Folkestone 22 Vigo 10, Gill Anchorians
17 O Dunstonians 15, Heathfield 8 Bromley 20, O Williamsonians 25 Uckfield 29; Pulborough 29 Park House 10.
Fixtures: Ashford v Anchs, Bromley v Folkestone, O Dunstonians v Heathfield, P House v O Williamsonians, Uckfield v Aylesford, Vigo v Pulborough.