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Medway Festival
02 Oct 2006
After only three week’s of legitimate contact rugby, thirteen boys found themselves selected to represent Sevenoaks at the annual Medway Festival, the popular curtain raiser to the season. As Under 7s two years previously, Sevenoaks had won this event and whilst as Under 8s last year the squad had exited at the semi-final stage despite the match being drawn, the enthusiasm of the boys to be playing at this event was clear. Whilst that was generally shared by the coaches and parents (despite an unwelcomingly early start by some to avoid the queues for car park/coffee/burger tent), there was also a degree of uncertainty as to how the boys would do – had other clubs commenced contact training earlier than we had? And, being Medway, there was the question of how wet would we all get this year.After a delayed start due to some last minute changes to the pools, Sevenoaks were grouped with Upminster, Vigo and Old Gravesendians.
For their first competitive contact match, Sevenoaks faced a large Upminster team. By their size alone it was likely they were going to be tough opponents, and this proved the case. From the start, Sevenoaks had to work very hard, particularly in defence, but any doubts there may have been about commitment to tackle were quickly dispelled. Excellent tackling by the whole squad in the face of determined play by Upminster ensured that by half time, the score remained 0-0. In the second half, Sevenoaks continued with their excellent defence, with some telling tackles by Jordan Visser and Davvid Vorster in-particular, but also increasingly took the game to Upminster. Surging runs, including by Alfred Gard, were increasingly causing Upminster problems, and it was from one of these that Kieran Thomas scored what turned out to be the only try of the match. Thus Sevenoaks had opened their account with a 1-0 win.
Sevenoaks’ next opponents were Vigo. The boys were quickly into their stride against an opposition who were not going to offer the challenge Upminster had. Marcus Lyne opened the scoring, with a try by Lawrence Thresher following quickly after. The third Sevenoaks try followed a good break by Kieran Thomas who, when caught, set the ball up well for TomHillier to collect and score from. Vigo were trying hard but determined tackling, notably by Joseph Irvine, saw them continually pushed back and unable to make any sustained headway. Tom Nohre scored following a surging run by Alfred Gard had eventually been stopped. Marcus Lyne scored a second try, whilst another break by Kieran Thomas following a line–out saw the ball go out to Lawrence Thresher for him to score his second. Excellent teamwork involving Alfred Gard and Marcus Lyne resulted in the final try for Sevenoaks, scored by Max Skinner who, as well as working hard in attack, was rock solid in defence. The match ended, with a very satisfying 7-0 victory to Sevenoaks.
The third and final pool match was against Old Gravesendians. This match initially was as tough as the Upminster game, with the boys having to defend hard against some very strong runs by big players. Henry Bonny, Harry Pickford and Max Skinner were all in the thick of things, and it was with some relief that Marcus Lyne opened the scoring following a strong run that out-stripped the opposition. Henry Bonny then scored a well earned try following a break by Max Skinner. From this, Sevenoaks grew in strength with Tom Nohre, Kieran Thomas and Lawrence Thresher (2) all getting additional scores, helped notably by continued great tackling, with Alfred Gard and Joseph Irvine seemingly to be everywhere. Final score, 6-0 to Sevenoaks.
By the end of the group stage, Sevenoaks had scored 14 tries and conceded none. As winners of the Group, Sevenoaks were through to the semi-final of the Cup competition. The opposition turned out to be our old friends Gravesend, with whom many a contest has already been held. The boys were understandably beginning to feel the effects of three matches, two of them very hard, but remained full of determination. Once again, totally committed tackling by Joseph Irvine, James Carter and Jordan Visser prevented Gravesend from scoring. As in the previous matches, an unyielding defence was matched by a determined and skilful attack. Kieran Thomas opened the scoring for Sevenoaks following a sharp break from a line-out, and helped set up the second try for Lawrence Thresher. Kieran Thomas scored his second try towards the end of the match, this time benefiting from a good break by Tom Nohre. With the final whistle blown, the match was over with a convincing 3-0 victory to Sevenoaks.
With the wind getting stronger and the clouds darker, the final loomed. The other semi-final between Upminster and Old Colfiens had ended in a 1-1 draw, but Upminster had been declared the winners by virtue of a count-back. Sevenoaks knew they were in for a final, hard match.
From the start, Upminster put Sevenoaks under considerable pressure and despite tenacious tackling, were able to score after a few minutes. To their huge credit, Sevenoaks heads didn’t drop, and they responded in the best possible way, with a sharp beak by Marcus Lyne from the restart setting up Lawrence Thresher to go straight over. As expected, the game remained tight, but some great play by Kieran Thomas enabling Lawrence Thresher to score his second try. Upminster were trying their hardest but Sevenoaks were not going to concede a second try and let their lead go. As the final whistle blew, the relief and joy of the entire Sevenoaks contingent was clear.
At the presentation ceremony, each player was presented with a winners medal and the team an impressive trophy. It had been a hard tournament, with several new elements of play being introduced and the boys having to think more for themselves as coaches were not allowed on the pitch during play. But each had performed really well, been fully committed, and with a try count of 19 for and only one against, the outcome was a fitting reward for the hard work both they and the coaches had put in. And the weather? Not at all bad, with us only getting a little damp!
Team: Max Skinner, Tom Hillier, Alfred Gard, Kieran Thomas, Marcus Lyne, Harry Pickford, Lawrence Thresher, Joseph Irvine, Henry Bonny, Tom Nohre, Jordan Visser, Davvid Vorster, James Carter.
Coaches: Stuart Irvine, Ed Hillier.