Sunday 13th April 2008 Gravesend RFC Kent U17's 5 - 27 Essex U17's
A scoreline of 5-27 gave the Essex U17s a convincing win against Kent at Gravesend on Sunday. With most of the players eligible for the County U18s matches in October and November the match was a good indication of their progress through the County representative process and gives the County hopes of yet another successful season at this age group..
Kent kicked off the match in bright sunshine, a stiff breeze and with heavy storm clouds a long way off. Apart from the kick off, Kent hardly had an opportunity to get their hands on the ball. Essex made all the running, camping deep in Kent territory and switching play from one side of the pitch to the other with forwards and backs working well together. Essex were only thwarted from an early score by determined defensive work by Kent.
It took Essex thirteen minutes to eventually find a way through. With play moving from the left wing to the right Essex won a lineout 10 meters out on the right hand side. Though our front jumper missed the ball, an alert Jamie Bache caught the ball towards the back of the lineout and broke through with a short dash and dive for the line to give Essex their first score. A difficult conversion from Sam Stanley just went wide of the posts. Kent 0 Essex 5.
The restart gave Kent their second opportunity to enter Essex territory, but it did not last long. With the pack and the backs working well together Zane Mannan at flyhalf, returned the ball to the Kent 22 to put the pressure on the home side once again. A line out 15 meters out was won by Essex and with Josh Cook and Zane working well the ball was delivered to inside Centre Sam Stanley who cut a neat angle through the Kent defence with a deceptive dummy and sidestep for his first score of the match under the posts. Converting his own try Sam Stanley took the score to Kent 0 Essex 12
Kents third visit to the Essex half was quickly repelled and Essex once again set about trying to get their third score. This came just on the stroke of half time. Essex won the ball at a loose ruck on the right side of the pitch in the Kent 22. From the forwards the ball was passed out to the left wing, where Rob Scott backing up the winger Matt Savill took the inside pass for a try, giving Essex a 17 0 lead. Once again a very difficult kick went just wide of the posts leaving Essex in the lead as the referee blew for half time Kent 0 17 Essex
The start of the second half was marred by the heavy storm clouds which drenched the players and faithful supporters alike. In appalling rain, Kent made the most of the inclement weather conditions and for the first time in the match, Essex had to defend. To their credit Kent seized the initiative but it took them all of eleven minutes of the second half before they finally managed to breach the Essex defence out wide on their right to make the score 5 17. The score gave Kent fresh confidence and there followed a period of play when both sides played some excellent rugby despite the rain, wind, slippery surface and wet ball.
As the sun came out again midway through the second half Essex regained their control of the match. Several exciting runs to the Kent line ended up with Essex players being tackled just short of the line. With ten minutes to go, Essex were rucking five meters out in the right hand corner. Securing the ball Joshua Cook sent the ball out wide through Zane Mannan to Sam Stanley who dived over the line for his second try of the match. The conversion attempt went wide but Essex were now leading 22 -5.
The closing phases of the match were played out in the middle of the pitch and in the final seconds of injury time Essex broke away through left wing Miles Mowlem-Tett who out ran the Kent defence from just inside the Kent halfway line to round off a polished Essex performance with a try, making the final score 27 -5 to Essex.
Team Manager Mike Norris said " This was an excellent performance by the players and a great improvement on their last match four weeks ago and I am extremely proud of their achievements today. In particular I would like to thank the hard work put in by Simon Hoult the head coach who unfortunately was not here today to watch this side due to his club Southend playing Nuneaton in a National Two match. I must also thank Simon Nainby, Tom Webb and our physio Vic Bellamy for their work today with these boys and the numerous parents who have supported the team today - even in the rain."