Gloucestershire 20 Kent 11.

 

A game so typical of their 2015 Bill Beaumont Cup campaign.

 

Competitive throughout, even dominant at times, but in all three south pool matches Kent found themselves conceding an early lead, leaving them chasing the game and not able to mount enough sustained pressure to keep them in the ascendancy and overturn the opposition's advantage.

 

On this occasion it was the 10-0 lead the hosts gained by the 14th minute.  The heavy bank holiday traffic had ensured a dreadful coach ride (the best part of seven hours for those travelling from the Kent coast) to Cleve RFC at their splendidly appointed ground at The Hayfields, delaying kick-off until 4.00 pm, but you can't fault Gloucestershire for their lightning start to the contest.

 

From the kick-off, a powerful run from skipper and number-eight George Evans worked full-back Mike Wilcox over the goal-line after just 52 seconds, and the hosts soon followed up with a second score from scrum-half Danny Pointon after second-row Dan Hodge had driven forward after line-out ball.

 

Kent, hampered by the early loss of Canterbury lock Royce Cadman (arguably their best player of the opening two games), gradually hauled their way into the contest and responded well.  A kickable penalty opportunity was spurned for a tap-and-go move which quickly broke down, but fly-half Alex Gallagher soon collected three points from a more difficult position, before solid scrum ball in the middle of the field saw wing Temi Okenla power down the right flank and inside-centre Fred Tila cross for a try.

 

Gloucestershire fly-half Callum Sheedy answered with three points for the west countrymen, but the second quarter of the match belonged to the visitors, and as Gallagher gained field position from some fine kicking and Tila, who enjoyed an exceptional first outing in Kent jersey, made further line-breaks, Gallagher added his second penalty to reduce the deficit to 13-11 at the break.

 

However, the second period would yield little joy for the visitors.  Under siege from the outset, Kent finally lifted early pressure, only for the hosts to produce a lovely handling move for left-wing Leo Fielding to cut inside and around the defenders for a converted try on 53 minutes, putting clear daylight between the scores.

 

Aside from that one blemish, Kent defended magnificently but their set-piece and accuracy had fallen away, denying them territorial gain.  Their one scoring chance fell to Kieran Leeper, the wing’s intercept followed by a perfectly judged kick to the opposition in-goal, but Gloucestershire centre Sam Hanks won the race to touch down, just, and with no further threat accruing, Kent are left to ponder a challenge in the second tier of the County Championship in 2016.

 

‘It was another very tough game, as we knew it would be,’ said head coach Chris Wilkins.

 

‘After a slow start we got ourselves back in the game through some good attacking play, and to go in at halftime 11-13 down was good in the circumstances.’

 

‘Unfortunately our normally reliable line out struggled in the second half and Gloucestershire were able to control possession and territory.’

 

‘However, the lads defended magnificently and showed tremendous character and team spirit and have been a great bunch to coach.’

 

‘As a county we must understand that we need more players from our top clubs to make themselves available for selection, as well as the support of all clubs for us to compete with the traditionally strong counties.’

 

‘Unfortunately this wasn't the case this year.’

 

Kent.

 

Tries:   Tila.

Pens:    Gallagher 2.

 

Gloucestershire.

 

Tries:   Wilcox, Pointon, Fielding.

Conv:  Sheedy.

Pens:    Sheedy.