TWRUFC 1st XV 26 vs Aylesford Bulls II 3

10th Oct 2026, KO 15:00

Aylesford Bulls II - Home

Live Text, Match Report & Information

Match Report

The winning motion keeps rolling. This week the boys in Green and White continued to defend their home ground at the Rec like the true fortress that it is.

This week off the back of injury I enjoyed the game from the sidelines with a nice crisp neck oil in hand, so I apologise off the report isn’t quite an involved as it usually is but I’m sure it’ll be better than the AI job that was done in my absence from the Tonbridge game.

There were some notable additions to the team sheet this week, Sam Gunter making his season debut back in the front row alongside the ever-reliable Steve Crump and Ben Brabham. Riley Evans making another start alongside Jimmy Osborn in the locks. And an old’ reliable back row of skipper, K Munn-Holands, vc, Guy Willamson and the ever-menacing Dan ‘Bokka’ Norman in at 8. Lewis Hopkins stayed at 9 in pairing with the Hopkins with the “worst hairline” not my words… Alex Manning continued to run that 12 shirt, alongside outside centre debut for Conor Meyer, and a strong backline that we all became well versed in last year in Conor McGrath, Brad-Lee Nash and a returning but still slightly confused Simon Race.

And did someone say Hoppy Senior on the bench?!?!?!?!?!

The game got off to a start after a quick and simple warm up. And the first half really did trail to be a true testament to how strong willed all of our players are across the field. Picture this against the hill, against the wind and against a very lively Bulls side, the odds were slightly stacked against the boys in this first 40. But what a hell of a performance they took to them. Defending hard for most of the half receiving very little ball and when that did happen the rusty, still cold hands struggled to keep hold of it. But to go through these hardships only giving away a mere 3-pointer penalty was a great performance from the lads. A not so exhilarating but very important half that the coach Neil Parfitt was extremely impressed with, setting in stone the foundation to attack the second half.

Going into the break the lads got some water on and re-adjusted themselves for this second half to come. Mark Noble entered the field as a straight swap for Riley Evans who got his well-earned rest for the second 40. And the second half performance really re-iterated the game of 2 halves rule. After seeming to be starved of ball time early in the game, the break seemed to have put some sort of magnet in the ball and our layers hands.

We reverted to the old Ash ways of champagne rugby. Beautiful offloads, and silky-smooth hands all over the shop. And from the whistle the boys were out with a hunger for tries. Good continuity from the break led our lads charging down the Bulls some lovely hands to get it wide and then a pop back to the charging Kieran Munn-Hollands who crashed over the line to make it……… 2 from 2 is it? And the conversion miss from Pip filled hopeful ears for Guy Wilko that he might finally get his chance at goal.

The solid set piece with perfect lineouts and hard driving scrums continued in this second half giving us a great base to work from on the second try of the afternoon, a solid lineout taken by Guy down to Lewis out to the backs who ran one of their top secret moves for the ball to end up in the hands of Brad Nash who pulled out a beautiful chip-and-chase finish. Guy for some reason here backed down from the conversion chance being right out on the wing, and good job he did as Pip slotted it home with super impressive 2-point tally.

The third came from some continual great play with Ash showing of their skills making hits with hard carries, stringing together backs plays and securing the ball whenever it was kicked over the top, when we had to defend, we did so well, with class and style. And eventually we broke through the line with Bok breaking through and dotting down.

The fourth and final came from the restart down into the safe hands of Mark, who drew the man giving it back inside, through some more champagne rugby, Bok made the line breaking past defenders left, right and centre and giving it back inside for Brad Nash who greedily dotted down his second of the afternoon with support inside of him.

The last 10 minutes, you could see the game starting to slowly break down, some handbags started to appear across the pitch with multiple players getting involved in the red mist of a tough 70-minute slog. But the boys held out strong and secured the all valuable W at the end.

A true game of 2 halves played against a super tough opposition. Some great moments as well, Henry Stephens stepping back into the green and white hoops for the first time since Under 15’s, and Jack Kremer lasting more than 5 out on the wing. Steve Crumps wonder chip and chase that was almost magical. Kieran Munn-Hollands early contender for tackle of the season. Pips very fashionable scrum cap and Hoppy seniors claim to fame staple closing 10 minutes.

A big thankyou goes to Aylesford Bulls for travelling down and giving us one hell of a game, we’ll eagerly anticipate the return fixture right at the end of the year.

Thankyou to our supporters for being our noise on the sidelines and well done to the lads. Undefeated for the 26-27 season, and undefeated at home for over a year and a half, can they keep it up?

Onto 4 weeks on the bounce of fixtures, kicked off with hosting Medway next Saturday. Onto the prep for that now, and a big week ahead.

FT: Ash 26 – 3 Aylesford

MOTM: Simon Race (Great performance across the pitch, great decisions and class running, bonus to no concussion)

DOTD: Henry Stephens (a drop ball as his first action in a senior Ash shirt)

Try Scorers: Kieran Munn-Hollands, Brad-Lee Nash (2), Daniel Norman

Conversions: Phil Hopkins (3)