The day had started with a predictable big win (26-0) for the Ladies, but given that they had won 69-0 away to the same opposition who arrived with just 14 players, perhaps it got into the head of the home team that it would be all too easy, especially when Vicki Rang ran through for a try as early as the second minute.

Guernsey helped out the visitors by providing a 15th player in the form of a string of home reserves, and Ashford were impressively resilient against a team missing a few key players, 'We just made too many mistakes,' said coach Chris Griffiths. 'Fair play to Ashford though. They stuck to their guns. They were gutsy.'

Skipper Jemma Crouse converted the Rang try and was to knock over two more conversions before she was out. The second try arrived after just 12 minutes when Crouse set up centre Hannah McLellan to score.

Fiona Power then spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin for a high tackle and Ashford held firm until late on when winger Anneka Saunders finished off the move in the gym corner and then McLellan darted the final 25m to score by the posts.

But the Ladies could not get that all-important fifth try to win a bonus point and with such a narrow lead over Lewes at the top of the table failure to get that extra point may yet be decisive in the title run-in.

But let’s hope not.