Youngsters reach Kent finals

A team of Whitstable youngsters have won a place in the finals of a countywide tournament. Qualification was always going to be tough for Whitstable’s under-12s team who travelled to Bromley on Sunday with 13 squad members and no replacements. But, after four games, they sealed a place in the finals of the Kent Mini Rugby Festival and will now compete against seven other teams for the trophy at Aylesford Rugby Club on Sunday, April 24. The young Blues managed to guarantee their qualification by overcoming Beccehamians in the last seconds and by coming from behind to beat Deal and Betteshanger. In the third match they were beaten by Ashford, who went on to top the group. But the boys from Whitstable rounded off their day with a victory over Tunbridge Wells. Coach Roger Dengate said: “Haven’t we done well, I’ve never taken a team to the finals before. Well done to the boys. The 13 that played were the 13 that stayed. “This now puts Whitstable Rugby Club under-12s in the top eight in Kent.” Parent Teresa Vincent said: “On behalf of the parents I would like to say a massive thank you to coach Roger Dengate, assistant coach Nick and Charlie our referee. Without you guys we would not have a team.” Simon Langton’s senior girls’ squad completed a remarkable two-year journey from taking up the sport to reaching the final four of a national sevens competition. The Langton team (pictured right) joined teams from across the country at London’s Rosslyn Park last Friday where they belied their underdog status by reaching the semi-finals. Tries from Emily Codd and Mary Coleman saw Langton to a 27-0 win in their opening game against rivals Maidstone Girls before Pangbourne College were swept aside 30-0 in game two. Ysgol Gyfun Bryn Tawe proved to be sterner opposition but Langton scored a decisive try through Tegan Forbes to win the game 31-17. Victory in the final group game against another Welsh team Gower College saw Langton progress to the semi-finals but it needed a late try from captain Emily Williams to secure a nervy win. The semi-final opposition were Christ’s Hospital but injuries and fatigue took their toll and Langton struggled to contain their opponents, eventually losing 32-5.

Stand-in skipper Simon Crossley led Dragon Fire 4 East League champions Canterbury 4ths to a 52-17 victory at Dover 4ths. A first half hat-trick from Simon Jaynes signalled the city club’s intent and Jamie Evans and Guy Vine also plunged over to build a 31-10 half-time lead. Despite a long period of Dover dominance in the second half, when they added a converted try to their total, Canterbury defended well and overcame the handicap of losing Tom Christopher to the sin bin. Further tries came from Evans, Rowden and Andre Allen, with Crossley and Allen adding conversions while Rory Howard impressed in his first game at senior level. Canterbury have two games remaining.