Kent’s 2014 County Championship campaign reached a triumphant conclusion at Twickenham on Sunday with victory against a resilient Durham side in the final of the Plate.

Having comfortably beaten both Devon and Somerset in the South Pool to win promotion to Division One of the competition for next season, Kent outscored their northern opposition by four tries to two in a 31-23 win, albeit only secured by a Paul Humphries penalty with the last kick of the match.

In fact having conceded the lead midway through the first period to three penalties from the immaculate boot of Durham and Darlington Mowden Park fly-half Tom Hodgson, Kent might have paid for not capitalising on early superiority, but two tries prior to the interval settled their nerves.

In the 35th minute, a superb break from full-back Martyn Beaumont fed outside-centre Ben Hough for the first try, followed by a gap opening on halfway for captain Tom Stradwick to storm through, the blind-side galloping home from 50 metres for a score which, added to two earlier penalties from fly-half Luke Giles, gave Kent a 16-9 lead at the break.

Their dominance at the set-piece, and more incisive running, gave Kent the better opportunities in the third quarter, but it wasn’t until wing Renford Bennett’s neat chip over defence and off-load to scrum-half James Munton on the hour that the score was advanced further. And although Blaydon second-row Chris Wearmouth responded quickly for the northerners with a try from a tap penalty, a scrum turn-over set up the attack from which a long pass found Beaumont out wide on the right flank to put Kent 28-16 ahead with twelve minutes remaining.

However, the outstanding Beaumont was called on again in the late stages, this time to make a try-saving tackle on Durham wing Ian Wilson, and although flanker Callum MacKenzie did eventually cross the goal-line for the north-eastern county, it was too late for a further assault to be mounted and Humphries’ boot eased Kent home.

‘It was a great day for Kent Rugby and it was pleasing to see the squad play well and produce a strong performance to beat a hard working Durham side,’ said head coach Chris Wilkins.

‘I felt that the set-piece and breakdown work gave us plenty of possession, and whilst we could have scored a few more tries, it was a good performance which led to the win.’

‘When we were under pressure we defended well as we have during the whole campaign,’ he continued. ‘The whole squad has worked very hard as usual and the team spirit and camaraderie were excellent, which played a big part in us winning.’

‘We are a close knit team off the pitch as well, and I would like to thank my fellow coaches John Gallagher and Taff Gwilliam, who have been superb, as well as all the Management team and David Corry and the Kent Committee.’

‘We have worked hard for a number of years to get to yesterday, and everyone is very keen to build on it and use it as a springboard with the aim of getting back to Twickenham next year, when we go into Bill Beaumont Division One, which will be a great challenge.’

Kent

Martyn Beaumont (Canterbury), Rob White (Old Elthamian), Ben Hough (Westcombe Park), Markus Burcham (Blackheath), Renford Bennett (Old Elthamian),
Luke Giles (Tonbridge Juddian), Sam Eydmann (Blackheath); Charlie Cutting (Gravesend), Joe Bonner (Old Elthamian), Jamie Forsyth (Gravesend), Royce Cadman (Canterbury), Ally Vanner (Old Elthamian), Tom Stradwick – Capt (Blackheath), Hamish Barton (Westcombe Park), Jon West (Sidcup)

Replacements

Harry Fry (Blackheath), James Cleverly (Blackheath), Terry Read (Charlton Park), Jesse Liston (Blackheath) James Munton (Blackheath), Paul Humphries (Old Elthamian), Matt Gallagher (Old Colfeian)

Footnote:

The season continues for three Kent players. Tom Stradwick, Jesse Liston and Markus Burcham all travel to Georgia with England Counties for two matches against Emerging Georgia to be played in the capital Tbilisi.