Kent Cup Final: The Judd School 7-17 Sevenoaks School
Report by Alex Fan
After having the match twice cancelled due to a water logged pitch, Sevenoaks School under 15 As, the first team from Sevenoaks to reach the Kent Cup final for 10 years, put on a determined, resilient display to emerge victorious against The Judd School and turn the tables of fortune around.
The night was cold but all the supporters warm with anticipation as Sevenoaks School emerged from the dugouts and walked confidently onto the pitch. The sound of drums and chanting filled the night sky as the match begun in a frantic style, both teams playing conservatively to avoid making preventable mistakes. However, it was Sevenoaks School who made the first meaningful breakthrough as they constantly applied pressure on the Judd backs. And they were rewarded with a well-taken try as Rupert Moverly-Smith skipped over desperate tackles to put his side in front.
The match soon sizzled out into a battle in the centre of the pitch as neither side displayed enough confidence to gain ground in the opponents half.
The first half ended, almost to a relief to both teams for a much needed break and discussions of tactics, as the players from Sevenoaks School trudged back into the changing rooms, exhausted but spirited and elated at the score line.
And they started the second half as the brighter side, constantly pushing forward and threatening to kill the game off. Edward Harris, the full back for the night, was displaying a new air of determination, proceeding to beat man after man, and Ben Walker, the prop for Sevenoaks School, causing many problems for the Judd backs.
So it was no surprise that the School House Year 10 scored the next try as be pounced after sustained pressure on the Judd try line, to score under the posts and put Sevenoaks School into a commanding 12-0 lead.
However, Judd were not going to give up without a fight and a misplaced pass sent Judd’s prop through and he scored under the posts to reduce the deficit to 12-7.
Sevenoaks School then defended magnificently, especially the School House trio of Freddie Davies, Nick Bett and ex School House boarder James Affleck, making countless crucial tackles to keep Judd at bay.
And Judd’s fight back was effectively killed off as James Vernon sped down the left wing in a counterattack to score the vital try next to the corner flag.
As the final whistle sounded, swarms of supporters ran onto the pitch, congratulating the Sevenoaks School under 15 As rugby team as they ran out worthy winners to claim the long awaited trophy. Congratulations to all the players and staff involved in this magnificent achievement.