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KENT MINI RUGBY FESTIVAL: 15th APRIL 2007, TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS –
15 Apr 2007
For the pool stages, Sevenoaks were drawn against Beccahamians, Sheppey and Sidcup. Up against Beccahamians in their first match, Sevenoaks’ first score came from Josh Kidd following excellent play by Harry Knox. Marcus Lyne scored the second, with a powerful run that took him through a couple of tackles. The third came straight from Beccahamians restart, with the busy Sam Thompson linking well and getting the ball to Tom Cantlay who sprinted clear to score. The final try was by Lawrence Thresher, who powered his way to the corner. 4-0 the final score.
The second opponents were Sidcup. Sevenoaks again ably demonstrated all the facets of their play, with William Yates very quickly on the score-sheet. After some impressive rucking, especially by Alfred Gard, Max Skinner made it 2-0. A few moments later, Max Skinner scored again, with a sprint from half way following hard work by Jack Ingamells. In the second half, Sevenoaks were on their own try line but Marcus Lyne received the ball and was able to make it 4-0. Marcus Lyne added two more, with the last perhaps the best with Sevenoaks recycling the ball and passing time and again before the score came. 6-0 the result.
The final pool match was against Sheppey. Max Skinner scored the only try of the first half despite Sevenoaks spending most of the period camped on Sheppey’s try line. In the second half though, Max Skinner was again over following robust tackling by Sevenoaks resulted in a turn-over ball. More intense tackling, especially by Louis Ingamells, resulted in another turn-over, with Josh Kidd running clear to score and make the full-time score 3-0.
As group winners, Sevenoaks went into the Cup competition and were drawn against Beckenham in the quarter final. Sevenoaks scored first, with the excellent Tom Cantlay getting clear and showing his pace and strength. Kieran Thomas made it 2-0 following a break by Max Skinner, but it took an exceptional last gasp diving tackle by Tom Cantlay to ensure the lead remained 2-0 at half time. Beckenham kept pressing and scored soon after the restart but Sevenoaks came back quickly with Josh Kidd scoring following strong and persistent play by Thomas Hiller. Beckenham made it 3-2, but Sevenoaks responded almost immediately with Tom Cantlay benefiting from Sevenoaks stealing the ball close to the try line. A tremendous tackle at full speed by both Tom Cantlay and Lawrence Thresher resulted in a 4-2 final score.
The semi-final was against the always strong Old Colfeians. Both teams played excellent rugby with Sevenoaks first to score with Kieran Thomas breaking free and using his strength and pace to break the covering tackles and get over. In the second half, despite tremendous tackling by all players, Old Colfeians eventually got an equaliser, with the game finishing a 1-1 draw. Unfortunately, draws are decided by a toss of the coin and in this case, as has happened in the past, Sevenoaks were unlucky.
In every match played, Sevenoaks displayed total commitment, strength and skill, and combined very effectively as a team. A final try count of 18 for and only three against, and being unbeaten in the toughest of the competitions, demonstrates how well and hard this squad of boys played and worked. They now travel to Westcombe Park to defend the trophy at that festival before appearing on finals day at Harlequins as one of only 8 surviving teams following qualifying rounds involving clubs from across the South.
Squad
Tom Cantlay, Alfred Gard, Tom Hillier, Jack Ingamells, Louis Ingamells, Josh Kidd, Harry Knox, Marcus Lyne, Max Skinner, Kieran Thomas, Sam Thompson, Lawrence Thresher, and William Yates.