Sat 18 Jan 2025, 14:00
A typically physical, at points scrappy but above all entertaining match saw Aylesford Bulls register their first win in two months against a determined Vigo side.
In front of a bumper home crowd on Saturday Bulls fought their way into a commanding position before discipline almost cost them dearly as the game entered its final phases.
Bulls had four men sent to the bin – Vigo lost one – and at one point played with just 12 on the field.
In nervous opening exchanges handling errors and misplaced kicks left the home side guarding their try line for dear life. A phenomenal defensive effort led by returning flanker Kieran Gray soaked up wave after wave of Vigo attackers before debutant scrum half Frankie Jolley was able to relieve pressure with a box kick.
George Hepper’s chase and turn over summarised an afternoon where dogged defence ultimately secured the points.
But it was attacking brilliance which broke the deadlock, Barnaby Brown tearing down the left wing and wrongfooting several defenders for the opening try.
Christian Dolley then did the same on the opposite flank, pinballing off players and careering over the line.
An earlier penalty from Fin Ashdown-Denney meant Bulls went into half time 15-0 up and hunting a try bonus point.
Bulls didn’t let off in the second forty but Vigo were by no means done and mounted an admirable comeback.
Another Ashdown-Denney penalty and his own converted try, jinking around tackles before being hauled down between the posts, would prove enough but a mad last 15 minutes kept Vigo’s hopes alive until the last.
First captain Darren Jalink was sent to the bin for interfering with a ruck, then stand-in captain Jack Ireland saw yellow and conceded a penalty try for something similar, leaving a bewildered second reserve captain Ed McConnell to apologise to an exasperated referee when Ashdown-Denney was involved in an off-the-ball disagreement.
Fortunately for Bulls the unexpected exodus came too late to make any real difference and some calm, slow play brought proceedings to an end. 25-12.
Bulls, still ninth, head to Gillingham Anchorians this Saturday for a rearranged fixture.
Bulls 2nd XV were beaten 48-12 away at Cranbrook.
In front of a bumper home crowd on Saturday Bulls fought their way into a commanding position before discipline almost cost them dearly as the game entered its final phases.
Bulls had four men sent to the bin – Vigo lost one – and at one point played with just 12 on the field.
In nervous opening exchanges handling errors and misplaced kicks left the home side guarding their try line for dear life. A phenomenal defensive effort led by returning flanker Kieran Gray soaked up wave after wave of Vigo attackers before debutant scrum half Frankie Jolley was able to relieve pressure with a box kick.
George Hepper’s chase and turn over summarised an afternoon where dogged defence ultimately secured the points.
But it was attacking brilliance which broke the deadlock, Barnaby Brown tearing down the left wing and wrongfooting several defenders for the opening try.
Christian Dolley then did the same on the opposite flank, pinballing off players and careering over the line.
An earlier penalty from Fin Ashdown-Denney meant Bulls went into half time 15-0 up and hunting a try bonus point.
Bulls didn’t let off in the second forty but Vigo were by no means done and mounted an admirable comeback.
Another Ashdown-Denney penalty and his own converted try, jinking around tackles before being hauled down between the posts, would prove enough but a mad last 15 minutes kept Vigo’s hopes alive until the last.
First captain Darren Jalink was sent to the bin for interfering with a ruck, then stand-in captain Jack Ireland saw yellow and conceded a penalty try for something similar, leaving a bewildered second reserve captain Ed McConnell to apologise to an exasperated referee when Ashdown-Denney was involved in an off-the-ball disagreement.
Fortunately for Bulls the unexpected exodus came too late to make any real difference and some calm, slow play brought proceedings to an end. 25-12.
Bulls, still ninth, head to Gillingham Anchorians this Saturday for a rearranged fixture.
Bulls 2nd XV were beaten 48-12 away at Cranbrook.
