Sat 31 Jan 2026
Aylesford Bulls stunned league leaders Tonbridge Juddians with a try at the death to climb to second in Counties Two.
Bulls were unbeaten since October coming into this rearranged fixture.
But the last time these two sides met Tonbridge carried out a demolition job.
They were sitting pretty at the top of the table having not dropped a single point in 11 games.
Unrelenting rain saw the match moved to the Jack Williams Ground and after last week’s derby day rout at Maidstone, the mood there was rebellious.
Fin Ashdown-Denney got Bulls off to a dream start with a try out wide after four minutes. He was unable to add the extras.
TJs barrelled over moments later and converted to take the lead.
Bulls were back in front after 18 minutes. A Si Rumsey crossfield kick gathered by Christian Dolley who fed Tom Hughes on the inside for a fine score. Ashdown-Denney converted.
Bulls were awarded a penalty try when a trundling maul was brought down illegally.
That put them 12 points clear with five minutes of the half to play.
But TJs had the final say, again blasting over from metres out to close the gap to 14-19.
A cagey start to the second half saw 20 minutes pass without incident.
TJs eventually broke the deadlock, despite appearing to drop the ball over the line.
The momentum was ever-shifting, and it was Sam Tripp who would steal it back in Bulls’ favour.
Tom Hughes embarked on a mazing run from half way and offloaded to the powerful winger, who skipped through and pin-balled off defenders to cross for Bulls’ fourth. Ashdown-Denney converted to make it 21-26.
Bulls seemed to be heading for a remarkable win, but TJs had other ideas, crashing over with five minutes to go and adding the extras to push themselves two points ahead.
With everything on the line Bulls smashed their way up the paddock.
They were awarded a penalty with a minute on the clock but didn’t need it. Addison Geer hurled a beautiful pass to replacement winger Joe Temperton, whose 80th-minute score sent the sidelines into raptures. Coach Jon Alderton first ran about like a headless chicken then crumpled into a heap and kissed the ground. Final score 28-31 to Aylesford.
Bulls have a week off before welcoming Old Alleynians to the Jack Williams Ground.
Bulls were unbeaten since October coming into this rearranged fixture.
But the last time these two sides met Tonbridge carried out a demolition job.
They were sitting pretty at the top of the table having not dropped a single point in 11 games.
Unrelenting rain saw the match moved to the Jack Williams Ground and after last week’s derby day rout at Maidstone, the mood there was rebellious.
Fin Ashdown-Denney got Bulls off to a dream start with a try out wide after four minutes. He was unable to add the extras.
TJs barrelled over moments later and converted to take the lead.
Bulls were back in front after 18 minutes. A Si Rumsey crossfield kick gathered by Christian Dolley who fed Tom Hughes on the inside for a fine score. Ashdown-Denney converted.
Bulls were awarded a penalty try when a trundling maul was brought down illegally.
That put them 12 points clear with five minutes of the half to play.
But TJs had the final say, again blasting over from metres out to close the gap to 14-19.
A cagey start to the second half saw 20 minutes pass without incident.
TJs eventually broke the deadlock, despite appearing to drop the ball over the line.
The momentum was ever-shifting, and it was Sam Tripp who would steal it back in Bulls’ favour.
Tom Hughes embarked on a mazing run from half way and offloaded to the powerful winger, who skipped through and pin-balled off defenders to cross for Bulls’ fourth. Ashdown-Denney converted to make it 21-26.
Bulls seemed to be heading for a remarkable win, but TJs had other ideas, crashing over with five minutes to go and adding the extras to push themselves two points ahead.
With everything on the line Bulls smashed their way up the paddock.
They were awarded a penalty with a minute on the clock but didn’t need it. Addison Geer hurled a beautiful pass to replacement winger Joe Temperton, whose 80th-minute score sent the sidelines into raptures. Coach Jon Alderton first ran about like a headless chicken then crumpled into a heap and kissed the ground. Final score 28-31 to Aylesford.
Bulls have a week off before welcoming Old Alleynians to the Jack Williams Ground.
