Sat 7 Oct 2023
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory was very nearly the reality for Aylesford Bulls at Vigo on Saturday.
Bulls, buoyed by an emphatic victory over Medway in the previous round, travelled to their local rivals expecting a physical encounter.
But a combination of ill discipline and complacency very nearly cost them a much-deserved 8-25 half-time lead.
Vigo were first out of the traps with an unconverted score in the sloping top corner only for Bulls to hit back first when centre Addison Geer somehow got on the end of a Paul Cooper cross field kick and then when a loose ball was gathered by second row Tom Burnett, with Cooper adding the extras.
Bulls had clicked into gear by this point and were playing some wonderful rugby, back three Christian Dolley, Barnaby Brown and Tom Hughes making repeat rapid raids into Vigo’s half and centre Luke Stroud, returning after a long injury lay off, punching through the middle.
The pack, too, was dominating, dismantling the home side’s scrum and marching them back from the line out. It was after one such driving maul that flanker Ewan Bruce worked his way free and improbably scuttled under defenders and across the whitewash to bring the score to 8-17.
And moments later from a near-identical play Josh Mayhew crashed over the line to add another five.
While since the initial score it had mostly been one-way traffic the first period was characterised by some over-exuberant appeals and celebrations which the referee was not taking kindly to.
In the second half such indiscretions would repeatedly cost Bulls.
Cooper slotted an early penalty to put his side more than two converted scores in front but Vigo kept their cool, hitting back and making the most of repeat penalties with two quick scores.
Hughes kicked three points late on to push the margin to eight points but the home side were not done and, sensing two losing bonus points, ground Bulls down for a pushover try which the visitors were unfortunate not to have held up. It was not converted and the game ended 25-28 but Bulls will be counting their blessings it didn’t continue for another five minutes.
On Saturday Bulls welcome Old Dunstonians to the Jack Williams Ground. Kick off 3pm.
Bulls, buoyed by an emphatic victory over Medway in the previous round, travelled to their local rivals expecting a physical encounter.
But a combination of ill discipline and complacency very nearly cost them a much-deserved 8-25 half-time lead.
Vigo were first out of the traps with an unconverted score in the sloping top corner only for Bulls to hit back first when centre Addison Geer somehow got on the end of a Paul Cooper cross field kick and then when a loose ball was gathered by second row Tom Burnett, with Cooper adding the extras.
Bulls had clicked into gear by this point and were playing some wonderful rugby, back three Christian Dolley, Barnaby Brown and Tom Hughes making repeat rapid raids into Vigo’s half and centre Luke Stroud, returning after a long injury lay off, punching through the middle.
The pack, too, was dominating, dismantling the home side’s scrum and marching them back from the line out. It was after one such driving maul that flanker Ewan Bruce worked his way free and improbably scuttled under defenders and across the whitewash to bring the score to 8-17.
And moments later from a near-identical play Josh Mayhew crashed over the line to add another five.
While since the initial score it had mostly been one-way traffic the first period was characterised by some over-exuberant appeals and celebrations which the referee was not taking kindly to.
In the second half such indiscretions would repeatedly cost Bulls.
Cooper slotted an early penalty to put his side more than two converted scores in front but Vigo kept their cool, hitting back and making the most of repeat penalties with two quick scores.
Hughes kicked three points late on to push the margin to eight points but the home side were not done and, sensing two losing bonus points, ground Bulls down for a pushover try which the visitors were unfortunate not to have held up. It was not converted and the game ended 25-28 but Bulls will be counting their blessings it didn’t continue for another five minutes.
On Saturday Bulls welcome Old Dunstonians to the Jack Williams Ground. Kick off 3pm.
