Relief for Kent at the final whistle of this opening match of the 2024 Bill Beamont Men’s County Championship, as Ollie Claxton watched his mis-hit hoof bobble, almost in slow-motion, across the touchline to signal the end of the match.
The reigning champions had led this contest from the ninth minute, when player-coach Tom Stradwick’s early score had put them ahead, but now had to hang on against a tenacious Hampshire side who would not let them pull clear, and whose 77th minute try put them within two-points and provided for a nervy finish.
Claxton himself, on the bench as replacement scrum-half, and with next to no rugby this season through injury, had found himself thrust into a less than familiar role as early as the fifth minute.
‘We had massive disruption at the start of each half,’ said Kent director of rugby Taff Gwilliam.
‘Losing Sam (Evans), our game-manager and front-line kicker to injury within five minutes, and then Will Waddington (shoulder) at the start of the second period, had a huge impact on us and our continuity as a team.’
‘Nevertheless, our boys showed character and resilience to overcome those setbacks, and we exhibited the perseverance to hang in there.’
‘Fair play to Hampshire. We’ve had very close games with them over the last couple of seasons, and today was no different. They really came after us, but in the end, we got over the line because the quality of our team shone out.’
Evans’ was stretchered from the Hooks Lane’s all-weather playing surface as Kent came under early pressure, but having lifted the siege through a turnover penalty, the visitors launched a move down the right flank, Archie Holland making ground, before Stradwick crossed for a 5-0 advantage.
Hampshire responded with three points from the reliable boot of Lewis Dennett (the Richmond fly-half ended with a success rate of six from seven strikes), but while both sides struggled for control during a scrappy first period, Kent’s heavier penalty-count gave the host county the better opportunities, only a Stradwick turnover, and a vital interception from Gary Jones, thwarting them as the interval approached.
Evans’ was stretchered from the Hooks Lane’s all-weather playing surface as Kent came under early pressure, but having lifted the siege through a turnover penalty, the visitors launched a move down the right flank, Archie Holland making ground, before Stradwick crossed for a 5-0 advantage.
Hampshire responded with three points from the reliable boot of Lewis Dennett (the Richmond fly-half ended with a success rate of six from seven strikes), but while both sides struggled for control during a scrappy first period, Kent’s heavier penalty-count gave the host county the better opportunities, only a Stradwick turnover, and a vital interception from Gary Jones, thwarting them as the interval approached.
However, and despite the loss of Waddington, it was soon after the re-start that Kent began to take a grip.
Keeping ball in hand in midfield, and moving play neatly, space was made for Rafael Dutta to cross, the skipper and blind-side showing great pace down the right touchline, and although Dennett’s second penalty for not rolling nibbled back three points, great work from Ben Charnock off the blind-side of a scrum, and then again driving infield, saw the excellent Charlie Self across for a 17-6 lead to the visitors.
Hampshire were frustrated with ball held up across the goal-line, but a penalty kept infield saw Worthing wing Curtis Barnes set off on a stunning break, before sending number-eight Dylan Read across.
In a chaotic thirteen-minute spell mid-half which saw four tries evenly shared, a mistake at the re-start allowed Dutta to claim possession, great handling enabling Jones to score, while Tottonians hooker Liam Murphy slid over as Kent infringements again handed Hampshire pressure, but a neat off-load from Claxton sent Alfie Orris across for the visitors to retain the advantage at 29-20.
A Dennett penalty for a scrum collapse closed the gap, only for Claxton to restore the nine-point advantage following a high tackle, but Hampshire kept pressing, and a late converted score from captain and second-row Ross Parkins lifted the home support, and gave Kent some edgy last moments.
Kent now have home advantage as they move on to face a Cornwall side looking to avenge their 34-31 defeat at Camborne last year.
The match at Broad Walk, home Charlton Park RFC, is a 2.00 pm kick off next Saturday.
Hampshire
Tries: Read 54, Murphy 64, Parkins 77
Conv: Dennett 54, 64, 77
Pens: Dennett 13, 45, 69
Kent
Tries: Stradwick 9, Dutta 42, Self 50, Jones 57, Oriss 67
Conv: Claxton 50, 67
Pens: Claxton 72
Report by Graham Cox
Photos by Andy Wales
