Whitstable secure league victory and promotion to Kent 1!!!

Whitstable secure league victory and promotion to Kent 1 with a round to spare in composed victory
away to Lordswood!

The already rearranged fixture was in doubt once again as more adverse weather struck, but went
ahead despite snowy conditions. Whitstable adapted best in the freezing climate to get on the
scoreboard early on through a simple penalty from scrumhalf Andrew Huey inside 10 minutes.

Lordswood’s consistent indiscipline allowed Whitstable to dominate territory throughout the game,
but handling errors due to the snow let Lordswood off the hook in the first half. The Blues crossed
just once in the opening period to lead 8-0 at the break. Whitstable were awarded a penalty after a
break from winger Will Reid, which Huey kicked to the corner. From the resulting lineout the
Whitstable forwards edged ever closer to the try line with carries from Hudson, Hall, and Graves, but
were stopped short. However, with the Lordswood defence sucked in the backs were queueing up
out wide as fly half Marck Olive found Andy Till who put birthday boy James Garland in for a neat
finish in the corner. Conversion missed.

Lordswood came close to opening their account for the day after a promising break from their
openside flanker. Finding a rare dog leg in the Whitsable defence, the flanker broke clean to put
himself one on one with fullback Till. Till did just enough to slow the big back-rower who was
eventually felled just short of the line with the help of Garland and Huey before the rest of the
cavalry arrived to put in one of the most impressive defensive displays of the season. Several
Lordswood pick and go attempts were thwarted, and when the home side eventually went wide
they spilt the ball and Garland hacked the ball clear.

Whitstable picked up from where they left off in the second half to double their lead through Andy
Till. A barnstorming run from winger Bobby Powell set the platform for Whitstable to begin their
latest assault on the Lordswood try line. Strong carries from Taggart, Hudson and Bowers saw
Whitstable come close to crossing the whitewash before a miss pass from Olive found Till who slid in
in the corner, despite the efforts of his opposite man. Conversion missed. 13-0.

As Whitstable’s momentum and accuracy built, Lordswood’s discipline deteriorated. With
Whitstable progressing ever closer to the Lordswood try line the home side’s openside flanker was
sent for a 10 minute break after the referee brandished a yellow card following several final
warnings. From the resulting penalty Whitstable kicked to touch and a well-executed lineout paved
the way for another Whitstable rolling maul. Joey Taggart was firmly in the driving seat as he crossed
for Whitstable’s third. Converted by Huey for 20-0.

The bonus point was scored soon after via Reid, in what was the pick of the bunch. Following more
impressive defence Whitstable were able to force the turnover as they held up a Lordswood
attacker, which has become a consistent feature this season. Following this, Powell got another
chance to stretch his legs as he made ground down the left wing, and as the ball was recycled to
Olive the flyhalf drilled a crossfield kick deep into the Lordswood 22. With no one home for
Lordswood Reid won the footrace and kept his composure as he gathered the ball cleanly and dived
over for the bonus point. Conversion missed, 25-0.

A late consolation try was all Lordwood were able to manage as they registered their only points in
the last play of the game. Lordswood chipped ahead following a half break which was gathered by
Till, but the fullback got isolated and a good kick chase won the penalty which they took quickly and
their inside centre was able to stretch across the line to ground the ball. Conversion missed. Full
time score 25-5.

The bonus point win, coupled with Foots Cray beating Brockleians 16-3 puts Whitstable on 66 points,
with Foots Cray trailing on 59, and Brockleians on 53. Whitstable and Foots Cray have one remaining
game, whilst Brockleians have two, confirming Whitstable as champions.

The Blues will finish their successful campaign at home to Bexley on 7th April.