IN a way, this was a remarkable victory for Vigo.

With their first choice side torn apart by injury and unavailability, and their pack pushed all over the place by a young, keen Ashford side, they took the few chances to come their way for a fine win.

Helped in no small way by Ashford’s propensity for penalties, and a thundering performance from stand-in captain Andy Wilford, Vigo made sure of the points, although not without alarm it has to be said.

Ashford started at a rate of knots and were soon pushing Vigo back into their own half.

The visiting pack, young but full of vigour, were giving Vigo’s reshuffled pack no end of problems, but eventually Vigo managed to work their way up field and Dan Norton promptly kicked a penalty for the lead.

Although this was against the run of play, Vigo then managed to gain some momentum and top try scorer Jamie Caton added to the lead with a try under the posts.

Norton’s conversion was a formality and Ashford were 10 points down in the space of five minutes.

A further Norton penalty just before the break gave Vigo a lead they were never to relinquish.

They held out in the face of severe pressure throughout the second half as Ashford threw everything into attack.

However, they were unable to convert their pressure into points as Vigo defended stubbornly.

The referee did well to maintain control as both sides indulged in flashes of ill humour, as the frustration of the visiting side grew.

A pair of yellow cards helped to reinforce his position, but neither side could take advantage of their numerical superiority.

All too often, however, Ashford threw away good possession with needless penalties and Vigo held on for an excellent result.