5th May 2012 Somerset 33 points vs Devon 20 points
12th May 2012 Devon 41 points vs Kent 46 points
19th May 2012 Kent vs Somerset to be played at Aylesford Bulls RFC ko 3.00pm

Match Report on the Devon vs Kent game – 12th May 2012

Devon 41 points
Kent 46 points

Kent travelled to Brixham RFC to open this year’s campaign in the Bill Beaumont Cup. Devon for their part had been defeated by Somerset the previous week and were very much in need of a victory to keep their cup hopes alive.

A minute silence was observed for the former Devon player Duncan Christophers who died aged 44 suddenly the previous week.

The game kicked off in bright sunshine and the crowd were treated to a fine spectacle of open rugby by both sides.

Kent opened the brighter. They attacked Devon going through the phases forcing the home side to concede a penalty by pulling scrum half Edwards in at the ruck. Kent kicked for the corner, caught and drove and James Lindfield got the all the important touchdown for the opening unconverted score after just 3 minutes.

Devon came back and then proceeded to dominate the next 15 minutes scoring 21 unanswered points. Tom Whelan, Devon’s outstanding player of the day, broke cleanly in midfield to allow local Brixham lad Flashman to score. Then Kent turned the ball over unnecessarily out wide and paid the price before Tom Kiln finished another sweeping Devon attack sharply. Whelan landed all 3 conversions and the game was running away from the mis-firing visitors at 21-5.

This was Kent’s first game together as a group and slowly but surely they began to grow as a cohesive unit. In possession they always looked dangerous and the Kent fightback came through their most influential player on the day, James Lindfield.

Kent began to dominate the scrums with James Cleverley, Joe Bonner and Dale Bellinger dominating their counterparts. They showed good ball retention orchestrated by Charlie Edwards and Joe Simpson. Kent drove deep into Devon’s 22 on the back of carries from captain Tom Stradwick and Dale Bellinger. Charlie Edwards attacked short and a clever inside pass saw Lindfield on hand to go over. Martyn Beaumont converted to make the score 21-12.

On the half hour mark it was Devon who scored next. Kent were penalised at the breakdown. The home side went for the catch and drive and was rewarded with a Sam Richardson touchdown for an unconverted try and a 26-12 lead.

Kent responded by forcing the home side to turn the ball over following good work from George Micans and Jon West. Kent’s man of the match James Lindfield was on hand to complete his hatrick with a clinical finish. The try was converted by Beaumont to narrow the score down to 26-19.

Kent’s tails were up and they attacked again. Sharp interplay in midfield involving Simpson, Edwards and Marcus Burcham saw Martyn Beaumont break and outpace the home cover defence to score the try which he converted himself to level the scores.

The final play of the half saw Lindfield win turnover ball at the line-out following good pressure from Ali Vanner and Tom Stradwick. Kent played the ball quickly with width and Toby May scampered over for the unconverted try and the half time whistle.

The crowd had been treated to a 57 point extravaganza of points in a single half of rugby but I suspect neither coach would have been happy with their respective sides defensive displays at the half time interval.

The second half began as a much tighter affair. Both sides were clearly looking to improve their defensive displays and the first score did not come until the 52 minute. Kent introduced fresh legs to maintain the pressure on the home set piece, Ben McKinnell replacing James Cleverly and Harry Fry on for Joe Bonner. Joe Crust came on in midfield for Will Alkin.

Martyn Beaumont kicked a penalty following the home side being caught off-side in midfield.

Devon responded 3 minutes later. A clever kick from the impressive Whelan was re-gathered and Josh Squire scampered over for the try converted by Whelan to narrow the deficit to just 1 point at 34-33.

Kent continued to play the game quickly. They were rewarded when Kieran Leeper ran clear out wide only to be forced into touch by a last ditch cover tackle. The resultant home line-out was put under pressure and following good work at the breakdown by Micans and West Marcus Burcham ws on hand to finish smartly for an unconverted try and a 39-33 Kent lead.

On a hot day the strength of the bench was important and Kent added fresh impetus to their side towards the back end of the game with the introduction of George Bertolis, John Hosken, Rhys Boxall and Ben Johnson.

On 65 minutes Kent further increased their lead when they broke in midfield. A slicing break from Toby May saw Beaumont on his outside shoulder to score and convert his own try. Kent now led 46-33 going into the final 12 minutes of the game

Devon knowing the game was coming to its climax threw everything they had at Kent. A score out side by local boy Chey Bryce narrowed the score to 8 points. Kent were then penalised in front of their posts for an infringement at the breakdown. Whelan converted to make the score 46-41.

The last 8 minutes saw Kent defend their line against repeated home attacks but for once in the this topsy turvy game the defense held true and Kent closed the game out for the narrow victory.

The proud Kent players played with great spirit and flair with ball in hand. But Kent Coach Chris Wilkins stated ‘ I am under no illusions of the task ahead and we will need to work hard to improve our defence for the game against Somerset’.

Next Saturday Kent take on Somerset at Aylesford Bulls RFC.

Taff Gwilliam