Match Report – Ayelsford 3rds vs Canterbury 5ths

AYLESFORD 3rds 38pts – CANTERBURY 5ths 34 pts

The Zingari were away to a strong Aylesford side who tested the city side from the outset, drawing the first blood after a missed midfield tackle in the first 15 minutes. Canterbury who had been under pressure hit back 5 minutes later with Jez Weigh burrowing over for a try converted by Kevin Stevens to establish their credentials. The pace of the game didn’t let up with Aylesford making a quick reply with a converted try after another missed midfield tackle while Canterbury’s Will Rayner outstripped the opposition for a try out wide. Again Aylesford hit back with an unconverted try, but as halftime approached the city stayed in touch. first with Will Rayner for his second try of the afternoon and then with Sam Roud breaking through to touch down before converting his own try to edge Canterbury a 24-19 halftime lead.

The second half saw Canterbury have to make some serious changes, hit by a succession of injuries and the subs bench empty players were rearranged, but despite this Canterbury managed to extend the lead with Toby Allan using his speed to score out wide. However, the strain began to tell while they battled unfamiliar positions Aylesford turned up the pressure, with two tries and a conversion before Canterbury gifted them another converted try after a defensive mix up. Despite this, the city side fought back managing to blunt Aylesford attacks for the last fifteen minutes and sneaked one back with a Jez Weigh second try of the afternoon to take Canterbury within four points for a very respectable score.