5 try-fest at Aylesford

A great team effort saw Gs record their first ever win at Aylesford. Having seen steady progress in previous attempts, Gs continued their recent form and recorded a 29-22 victory over their hosts.

The rock steady scrum which has improved over the course of the season was added to with so great forward play in the loose by the Gs pack. It was with no surpise given recent perfomances that Gs started strongly soon foraging into the Bulls half. Having been awarded a couple of scrums which Gs took against the head Bulls were under pressure on their own 5 metre line. Having seemingly won the ball and get it to their No8, inexplicably it ended up back with the Gs. The ever impressive Banfield picked up the ball and crashed over wide out. Conversion missed (0-5).

The Bulls team responded equally as well and used the wind and what little slope to good effect. Having secured quality ball for their backs, twice the outside centre used his strength and pace to muscle through and outsprint the Gs back line. Succesful with one conversion Gs found themselves 12-5 down at the end of the first quarter.

A quick switch round and a number of subs it was evident Gs needed to get off to a strong start. This they did with arguably the best passage of play during the game. Having started from a set play in the middle of the park the Gs forwards, notably Levon and Samraj went on the rampage taking the ball up to the 22. With the opposition defence being hastily rearranged quick ball from Alex and a fine dummy step by George Br resulted in the ball going through three pairs of hands before Johnny Hunt went over the line out wide. Again the conversion was missed but Gs were back in the game (12-10).

With their tails up Gs were straight back in the Bulls half and after fine play up the middle George Br picked up the loose ball and managed to force his way over close in despite some valiant attempts by the Aylesford defence to hold him up. Conversion successful and Gs were again in the lead (12-17).

Further changes were made at Half-time but not sure if it was the fact we were playing quarter s but this did not seem to effect Gs noticeable as it had in previous weeks. Once again playing up hill Gs found themselves under pressure from the Bulls bigger pack. However, unlike the first time round they were struggling to get the ball out to the big centre and as such were trying to force the game. On one such occasion as they looked to spin the ball out, Josh W-F got his hand to it there followed some spectacular juggling before he finally collected the ball and outsprinted the home defence to score under the posts. George Br slotted the conversion despite some rather unsporting shouting by the Bulls lads as they looked to charge down the kick (12-24).

With the half barely 2 mins old the Bulls made a number of changes which seemed to galvanise the team. The ever impressive second row made some great runs to be thwarted on a number of occasions however did find himself going over wide out on the right. This coupled with another fine try which left the Gs backs all at see brought the score back to 22-24. Gs couldn't wait for this extra long quarter to end.

Having managed to hold out they turned round 24-22 up and the game plan was straightforward play as much of the games in the Bulls half as possible. Good kicking by George Br and the equally impressive Callum M saw Gs do just that. From one such kick confusion ensued as the ball was kicked through and the Bulls full back called for a mark despite the ball having bounced the last 10 yards. On another occasion the chasing Josh may well have smashed into him but he was equally confused and stopped as play was allowed to carry on.

Gs were definitely using the wind and slope to good effect and having been expecting a kick, Samraj picked up a loose ball from a ruck and sprinted down the blind side to race properly 60 metres before collapsing in a heap over the try line in the corner. (22-29).

The final whistle went as the ball was cleared to touch an Gs went on to record a fine victory. Special mention to all the boys that turned out as weaknesses evidence in previous weeks were worked on, Johnny H in defence and Samraj C in attack were outstanding. Luke T showed great spirit after receiving an unfortunate boot in the eye to get checked out by the doctor and then want desperately to get back on. Tackling from George Bo and Ben was superb and an all round pleasure to watch.

Next week Kent Cup Qualifying