GRFC Under 12’s Win East Kent Festival

Gravesend’s under 12 side went to Deal and Betteshanger RFC on Sunday 15th March up against ten other sides competing in the East Kent Festival. We took a mixed ability squad of 16 to the coast and began the day with hard fought single try wins against Sittingbourne and Whitstable, two sides who we’d previously beaten convincingly earlier this season. We rounded off the group phase winning another tight game against Ash RFC to maintain our 100% record.

In our semi final we faced up against Maidstone, a side that we have played three times this season and been on the wrong end of results each time despite some close battles. This was possibly the boys best performance of the season, they never gave an inch, winning ruck after ruck and not making handling errors which had cost us in previous games against Maidstone. It was a brilliant team performance and we won the game by a single try. The boys cheer at the end of the game showed what it meant to them.

The final was against the hosts Deal and Betteshanger. After the Maidstone game, the boys needed to go again against a Deal side who had swept through their group and had looked tough opponents. G’s were on top from the first whistle to last, playing with the confidence of Champions to be. Moving the ball well combined with some magnificent counter rucking we were three scores up by half time. We didn’t ease up and added a fourth try late on to seal the win and lift the cup. It was a fantastic day, our teamwork and togetherness shone through. Coaches and parents were all very proud.

Results:

Gravesend 5 v 0 Sittingbourne (Gunning)

Gravesend 5 v 0 Whitstable (Gunning)

Gravesend 10 v 5 Ash (Sims, Gunning)

Gravesend 5 v 0 Maidstone (Shoolbred)

Gravesend 20 v 0 Deal & Betteshanger (Luscombe 2, Atkinson, Long