Kent hold on to take honours in thriller

Men’s Division 1

Kent …………………. 31pts

Tries: Denham 48, Jones 50, 65

Conversions: Evans 49, 51, 66

Penalties: Evans 5, 36, 62

Yorkshire…………30pts

Tries: Taylor 8, 40; Kivalu 56, Macnab 77

Conversions: Minikin 40, 56

Penalties: Minikin 30, 59

Kent secured back-to-back County Championship titles at Twickenham as Taff Gwilliam’s side edged a thrilling final that displayed how cruel rugby can be.

Hull Ionians centre Lewis Minikin had been deadeye off the tee before succumbing to the pressure on the big stage.

Minikin missed a tough conversion from out wide with three minutes remaining but was then presented with a golden chance to seal Yorkshire’s first title since 2008 as he stepped back for what looked a routine penalty 22m out.

However, instead of elation Minikin threw his tee into the surface in frustration after just slicing the penalty wide and instead it was Kent who revelled in victory.

Kent director of rugby Gwilliam led his county to their first title in 96 years last year and was thrilled to do it all over again.

He said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for us, it’s been a few years in the making with what we’ve done in Kent within our community rugby. It started back in 2008 when we took a development team to south west France and then regular tours to help provide a strong culture.

“The spine of the squad is the same with youngsters all coming through our development programme. Virtually all the boys out there have come through that pathway which is brilliant to see.”

Kent made the better start as Sam Evans slotted the first points of the contest with a routine three-pointer from straight in front.

However, Yorkshire scored an outstanding try moments later as with a penalty advantage 5m out, Eddie Crossland landed a pinpoint cross-field kick to pick out try scorer Sam Taylor.

Kent remained on top in terms of territory and after two unsuccessful pick and gos, the decision off a penalty was for Evans to retake their lead off the tee.

Yorkshire outside centre Minikin missed a penalty from 35m out, while the vast majority of action continued at the other end as Kent piled on the pressure – but resilient defence by Yorkshire kept them at bay.

The northerners retook the lead on the half hour mark as Minikin slotted a penalty before Evans stepped up for a routine three-pointer of his own.

Despite conceding a large bulk of possession and territory, Yorkshire went into half-time ahead thanks to Taylor’s second try after a strong carry by influential former Coventry No.8 Ryan Burrows which set the platform for swift hands out wide.

Hull Ionians’ playmaker Minikin dispatched the extras from the touchline which made it 15-9 at the break.

However, Yorkshire endured a significant momentum swing as fly-half Crossland was red carded for a high tackle.

Kent exploited their numerical advantage moments later as Andrew Denham crossed from close-range and Evans slotted the conversion from out wide to overturn their deficit.

The southerners were enjoying a purple patch as birthday boy winger Gary Jones scored Kent’s second try in as many minutes but Yorkshire wouldn’t go away as powerhouse Loma Kivalu hit back under the sticks.

Champions: Kent celebrate after defending their title at Twickenham

PICTURES: RFU

Kent’s ill-discipline was punishing them as a rolling away penalty was compounded by an extra 10m for back chat which allowed Minikin to slot a 48m three-pointer.

The goal kicking battle continued as Kent’s scrum dominance presented Evans with the chance to slot a three.

A quick tap penalty by Ben Fryers caught Yorkshire off guard and Jones dotted down for his second.

Substitute Ryan Jackson’s yellow card for a high tackle meant it looked set to be a 14 on 14 finish as Yorkshire pushed for a winner in the remaining 10 minutes. But Kent then went down to 13 as Leo Fielding was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements inside the 22.

Yorkshire piled on the pressure and Henry Mac-nab ran a clever line to pick up an inside ball to score a 77th minute try but Minikin missed the difficult kick from out wide, with Kent remaining on top by the finest of margins.

Kent tried to see the game out with narrow carries but with 10 seconds to go a jackal penalty allowed Minikin a shot at goal which cruelly drifted left of the upright.

Yorkshire captain Joe Makin told The Rugby Paper: “We had two chances to win it but some days you don’t get the luck. I play with Lewis week in week out and nine times out of ten he’ll slot those. We’re a close group of lads and have got round him.”

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