Match Report By Rick Howe
Photo's to follow by Denys Clarke.

The threatened storm arrived as advertised, as the opening whistle blew. With the amount of rain that was to fall during the match, the side that managed the conditions best, would prevail.
Ashford fielded a side that immediately took the attacking initiative, forcing the injury ravaged ‘Boro side onto the back foot, and into defensive mode. Several times Ashford threatened the ‘Boro line, crossing once only for the official to indicate the ball being held up.
From the drop out, Ashford attacked once more down the right, but a tackle dislodged the ball and Ed Croft got a boot to it. As the Ashford defence turned it was Ed Croft who had the momentum, and dribbled the ball to the line before recording the score against the run of play. Jared Hermann added the two points 7-0
This set back galvanised Ashford, who maintained their game plan of using their tight knit pack to control possession, sucking in the ‘Boro defence before releasing the backs. This tactic allowed the pack to record the first of the visitors tries as they drove over for a converted try to tie the game at 7-7
Ashford were now on a roll with confidence high, and soon the second score arrived courtesy of the pack out wide making the conversion unnecessarily difficult.7-12
Ashford were to show they were not a one trick pony, and started to bring their backs into play. This paid instant dividends, when the bowling ball centre ,took the ball on the burst at speed, scattering the defence as he breezed through three attempted tackles to score under the posts for the converted try, bringing the half to an end at 7-19 with still all to play for.
Crowborough were still not out of this contest, and needed to keep their shape and maintain the game plan. However the next Ashford score stretched the points difference to 17, and in an attempt to immediately get back on even terms , ‘Boro lost shape, with those impossible gaps closing ; ambitious passes intercepted; and support lines failing to materialise.
By contrast Ashford were to take full advantage of ‘Boro’s disarray, but a touch of over-confidence, saw one attack break down, giving ‘Boro some rare backs possession. Jared Hermann slung out a pass to Rowen Bell, who broke through the first line, followed by Gus Weir on the left wing to show a clean pair of heels to his opposite number and record the score in the corner. 12-24.
This was to be too little too late, and it was no surprise that Ashford were to finish with a final flourish under the posts 12-31.
This result moves Ashford up the table into 4th place with Crowborough sliding down the table into 9th just ahead of next weeks must win opponents, Thanet Wanderers, who lost to Beccahamians in South London. Other notable results were Heathfield’s 7-55 away victory over Tonbridge Juddians and Park House’s 21 all draw against Deal and Betteshanger.