Aylesford Bulls may not have finished on top following a topsy turvy season opener but were staying positive having taken two bonus points from a hard-fought encounter with Sidcup.
“There were a lot of positives to take from today,” said captain Ben Pass after his side went down 28-24, “even with a disjointed team with players missing the boys put in a great shift against a good Sidcup side. The mood is good and we’re going to have a successful season.”
The match was played at Aylesford’s Jack Williams Ground after home side Sidcup requested a change of venue and it was in front of a enthusiastic crowd buoyed by strong pre-season outings that Bulls got proceedings under way, debutant winger Dennis Ayers with the opening try and Fin Ashdown-Denney adding the extras.
Sidcup soon hit back with a converted try and had pulled 10 points clear when returning flanker Kieran Gray crossed, Ashdown-Denney converting again to bring the half time score to 17-14 in the south London side’s favour.
Soon after the break prolific winger Barney Brown galloped in from well within his own half to push Bulls two points in front.
Sidcup hit back with an unconverted score and a penalty before full back Tom Hughes crossed to bring Bulls to within a point.
A tense final 10 minutes followed with Sidcup adding three points from the tee before Bulls were judged to have infringed on the line in the last minute bringing the afternoon to a close at 28-24.
Bulls, seventh in Counties Two, travel to Westcombe Park on Saturday.
“There were a lot of positives to take from today,” said captain Ben Pass after his side went down 28-24, “even with a disjointed team with players missing the boys put in a great shift against a good Sidcup side. The mood is good and we’re going to have a successful season.”
The match was played at Aylesford’s Jack Williams Ground after home side Sidcup requested a change of venue and it was in front of a enthusiastic crowd buoyed by strong pre-season outings that Bulls got proceedings under way, debutant winger Dennis Ayers with the opening try and Fin Ashdown-Denney adding the extras.
Sidcup soon hit back with a converted try and had pulled 10 points clear when returning flanker Kieran Gray crossed, Ashdown-Denney converting again to bring the half time score to 17-14 in the south London side’s favour.
Soon after the break prolific winger Barney Brown galloped in from well within his own half to push Bulls two points in front.
Sidcup hit back with an unconverted score and a penalty before full back Tom Hughes crossed to bring Bulls to within a point.
A tense final 10 minutes followed with Sidcup adding three points from the tee before Bulls were judged to have infringed on the line in the last minute bringing the afternoon to a close at 28-24.
Bulls, seventh in Counties Two, travel to Westcombe Park on Saturday.
Helen Grant MP
It was a pleasure to visit the Aylesford Bulls Rugby Club this weekend at their first home match of the new season, against Sidcup II. After 80 minutes of highly contested play, this needle match ended 28 – 24 in Sidcup’s favour. Well played by all involved and commiserations to The Bulls.
As well as enjoying the game and speaking with players past and present, I had a fruitful discussion with their leadership team about how I might be able to support the club’s plans and aspirations as their new MP.
Go here for more information: https://aylesfordbullsrfc.rfu.club
It was a pleasure to visit the Aylesford Bulls Rugby Club this weekend at their first home match of the new season, against Sidcup II. After 80 minutes of highly contested play, this needle match ended 28 – 24 in Sidcup’s favour. Well played by all involved and commiserations to The Bulls.
As well as enjoying the game and speaking with players past and present, I had a fruitful discussion with their leadership team about how I might be able to support the club’s plans and aspirations as their new MP.
Go here for more information: https://aylesfordbullsrfc.rfu.club
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