Ducks rout Drifters to keep pressure on leaders

The Ducks ran in eight tries and racked up 50 points as they comfortably overwhelmed Drifters, not conceding a single point for the fifth time this season.

“It was a performance that we felt has been coming for a number of weeks,” head coach Dave Larham said afterwards. “Admittedly it was an under-strength Drifters team but it was still 15 men against 15.

“We challenged our players to create a strong platform and be more clinical in the opposition 22m area. The number of tries reflected the high percentage of possession and territory we worked hard to create.

“What I was really pleased about was our appetite to play for a full 80 minutes and maintain our physicality, intensity and sustained pressure.”

The previous game between these two was a tight affair but Aylesbury dominated from the off on Saturday, Mike Callis going over for the first try early on after a powerful drive from the pack.

The home side’s five-point lead was soon extended as wing James Serrano off-loaded to centre Matt Dennis who sprinted down the touchdown and rain in under the posts to give James Woodfall an easy conversion for a 12-0 lead.

The bonus-point was secured before half-time with Pete Gorley muscling over and then Cory Neighbour following suit, Woodfall converting the latter’s try for a 24-0 half-time advantage.

The second half was even more one-sided as captain Adam Moore ran in a fifth try before flanker Gary Horne touched down.

Seventeen-year-old winger Gus Charlier then sprinted to the corner and the half century was then brought up when Callis went over for his second and Woodfall converted.

Aylesbury remain second in the Southern Counties North, four points behind Reading Abbey, ahead of a home game against Marlow this weekend.

Larham added: “Saturday presents a big challenge as we welcome Marlow to Ostler’s Field. Our players will need to accept that challenge and make sure they are well prepared for a bigger test.”