The Bison’s realised early that it was going to be no picnic at the Kent Festival at Westcombe Park when they saw they had been drawn in the ‘Group of Death’. With ‘A’ sides from TJ’s, Beccahamian’s and Thanet they knew it would be hard work to progress to the next round.
TJ’s quickly dispatched Beccahamian’s in the first game of the group with some impressive rugby, 40-0. And so with the Bison’s a little shell-shocked it was time for their first test of the day.
Thanet had a very strong pack and dominated the rucks in the first half, but were lucky to score 3 tries from turned-over ruck’s and a turned-over lineout. The Bison’s forwards had worked hard to contain Thanet but their strength in their pack and in their half back’s running was too much. The 3 conversions were missed, so the half finished 15-0. With the sound of Nick’s half-time ‘encouragement’ still ringing in their ears The Bison’s started more confidently, and some good passing and an excellent run by George certainly put Thanet on their back foot. However, a ball lost in the tackle, was punished by Thanet, and a strong run by their wing led to another try which was converted this time. Thanet were not finished and another strong run by their outside centre could have inflicted further pain, unfortunately, in his eagerness to score, he dropped the ball before scoring. Game finished 22-0.
TJ’s cruised past Thanet 36-0 with a degree of arrogance which spoiled a display of some otherwise excellent rugby.
With the Bulls cheering them on, The Bison’s appeared to wake up as they started against Beccahamian’s and some excellent defensive work kept Becc’s out as they camped 2 yards from The Bison’s try line for the last 3 minutes of the first half. Their defence held and the half finished 0-0. In the second half, some excellent rucking and ball carrying, got The Bison’s to within 25 yards of goal when Becc’s conceded a penalty for offside. With only a few minutes to go and with the score still 0-0, Lenny decided to kick for goal. However, as he started his run up the Referee decided that he had taken too long (maybe 40 seconds) and the penalty was overturned (I kid you not!). Becc’s broke but some excellent defending again and running got the Bison’s back inside the Becc’s 22. Time was up, it was now or never. Unfortunately, the ball was turned over in the ruck and Becc’s cleared it down field. Lenny at full back was completely isolated on the Becc’s 10 metre line and with Becc’s players bearing down on him attempted an audacious drop goal. The ball had the direction but unfortunately not the legs. The Referee (?) blew for full time and the spoils were shared at 0-0.
And so it was The Bison’s turn to take on TJ’s. The Bison’s battled hard but could not handle the support play that the Kent Champions exhibited and three converted tries saw a half-time score of 21-0. However, The Bison’s refused to let TJ’s have it all their own way and worked hard at containing them. Excellent tackles from Lenny and George denied certain tries but TJ’s wing and scrum-half added to their tally one of which was converted. Full-time score 33-0 (the lowest number of points conceded to TJ’s in this group).
For The Bison’s to continue, Thanet needed to win by 16 points or more against Becc’s. However, a 0-0 score line meant that both teams would proceed in the competition.

A slightly harsh end to a hard season, but we will be back and having softened up Tonbridge Judd's for the Bulls we expect them to finish the job off and bring the Kent Cup back to Aylesford.