Their opponents, newly promoted from Kent 1 to London Southeast 3 were keen to spring a surprise and express their improved status by beating their senior opponents from London 2
Ashford started slightly the stronger of the two sides playing most of the first quarter in the Lions territory, aided by a stiff breeze, but it quickly became apparent during this period that the Ashford back line, although having plentiful supply of the ball lacked both the guile or penetration to seriously trouble a well organized Lion’s defence
The first score came midway through the first half when the home side fly half kicked a 38 metre penalty, awarded for an offside infringement at a ruck.
Having repelled the early Ashford pressure the Lions gradually started to take control of the game and opened up a 10-3 lead before the break. Fly half Ollie best opened up the account with a well struck penalty from 30 metres out and 8 metres in from the touchline. This score was quickly followed by a converted try after the Ashford defence made a mess of clearing a rolling ball in their 22. Their full back fly hacking the ball into the arms of Lions second row Daniel Norman who made ground before feeding second row partner Ali Chamberlain who score 7 metres in from the flag. Ollie Best adding the extra two points with the conversion.
The Lions although enjoying a seven point lead at the break did not escape unscathed having lost the valuable services of their influential scrum half Ollie Schofield with a shoulder injury which meant switching skipper Adam Michael from centre to scrum half and Halpin moving to centre.
The second half was dominated by the Lions without the score truly reflecting their supremacy . The pack winning a major share of the ball with No 8 Wes Bull impressing with a man of the match display with his powerful driving play in the loose and his excellent catching and delivery at the line out.
The Lions first score of the second half was a penalty from the reliable boot of Ollie Best. Midway through the half Ali Chamberlain had to leave the field through injury having played a valuable role in the Lions victory. He was replaced by Joseph Hinkins.
The home side meanwhile seemed devoid of attacking ideas relying mainly on using their big outside centre to break the defence on the crash ball, a ploy that was overused without any success.
The Lions for all their dominance had to wait until the last five minutes to add to their score and when it did arrive it fell to the Lions top try scorer Luke Armstrong who had been searching for opportunities all afternoon. He finally got his chance when picking up loose ball 30 metres out scythed through the defence to score to the left of the posts. Ollie Best converting for a 20-3 victory
The Lions will be pleased with this victory at the same time acknowledging that much more difficult challengers await them in the near future

This Saturday the Lions have a friendly away to Medway, Kick off 3 pm

Reporter Gerald Griffiths