Tue 18 Feb 2025 16:08
Sat 15 Feb 2025, 14:00
Aylesford Bulls were reunited with a seasoned campaigner in emphatic fashion on Saturday.
After several seasons away, fly half Dan Harvey returned to the Jack Williams Ground and put in a man of the match display on his 123rd run out.
Harvey controlled the game well from the start against a high-flying Thanet side who were looking to keep up the pressure on Old Elthamians at the top of Counties 2.
But in truth the visitors never looked like breaking down an impressive Bulls defence.
Thanet, whose sole score came down the right wing midway through the first half, were unable for the most part to attack with purpose, instead opting to fight Bulls in the close quarters.
At one point, Bulls soaked up pick and go after pick and go on their 22 before, in desperation, Thanet hurled the ball wide only for Harvey to intercept and run the length of the field, finding Barney Brown on a support line.
That exchange summed up Bulls’ afternoon, with raids into their territory soon snuffed out and a backline counter attacking with flair.
Cheered on by a boisterous home crowd fresh from a charity dinner, Bulls opened the scoring in peculiar fashion, Tom Hughes pouncing on a loose ball.
The prolific full back was again on hand minutes later, getting on the end of a deft Harvey grubber kick. 12-0.
Thanet hit back to close the gap to five points at half time, but Bulls were very much in the ascendency.
Brown’s score would soon follow, with Fin Ashdown-Denney adding his second of three conversions.
Centre Chester Clough, also returning to the fold after an injury, added a try, before Harvey got in on the action. Thanet’s 12, a hulking menace all afternoon, rushed at him ferociously but was outwitted by quick feet, the resulting try a suitable end to an entertaining afternoon. 31-7.
Bulls, still ninth in Counties 2, are next in action at Dartford Valley on Saturday, March 1.
After several seasons away, fly half Dan Harvey returned to the Jack Williams Ground and put in a man of the match display on his 123rd run out.
Harvey controlled the game well from the start against a high-flying Thanet side who were looking to keep up the pressure on Old Elthamians at the top of Counties 2.
But in truth the visitors never looked like breaking down an impressive Bulls defence.
Thanet, whose sole score came down the right wing midway through the first half, were unable for the most part to attack with purpose, instead opting to fight Bulls in the close quarters.
At one point, Bulls soaked up pick and go after pick and go on their 22 before, in desperation, Thanet hurled the ball wide only for Harvey to intercept and run the length of the field, finding Barney Brown on a support line.
That exchange summed up Bulls’ afternoon, with raids into their territory soon snuffed out and a backline counter attacking with flair.
Cheered on by a boisterous home crowd fresh from a charity dinner, Bulls opened the scoring in peculiar fashion, Tom Hughes pouncing on a loose ball.
The prolific full back was again on hand minutes later, getting on the end of a deft Harvey grubber kick. 12-0.
Thanet hit back to close the gap to five points at half time, but Bulls were very much in the ascendency.
Brown’s score would soon follow, with Fin Ashdown-Denney adding his second of three conversions.
Centre Chester Clough, also returning to the fold after an injury, added a try, before Harvey got in on the action. Thanet’s 12, a hulking menace all afternoon, rushed at him ferociously but was outwitted by quick feet, the resulting try a suitable end to an entertaining afternoon. 31-7.
Bulls, still ninth in Counties 2, are next in action at Dartford Valley on Saturday, March 1.
