County Honours

Avonmouths Brandon Pettit, Jared Du Plessis & Josh Du Plessis along with their Gloucestershire Under-20s team mates are just one game from Twickenham after defeating Kent 32-21 in the under-20 county championship quarter-finals at the Bristol Combinations Lockleaze Ground.

They will now host Yorkshire at Dings Crusaders in the semi-finals on Sunday 14th April after overcoming Kent in a fine game at Bristol Lockleaze.

Gloucestershire head coach Richard Planchant was naturally delighted with the win.

“We took part in what was a great advert for this under-20s competition,” he said. “This was an excellent Kent side that we faced and a side that came at us for the full 80 minutes.

“Gloucestershire showed great character in the game to come back from being 21-18 down and win the game. The attitude of all the players is a true reflection on how well they carry themselves.

“This team works hard and they have the mindset to get better at everything they do.”

Gloucestershire were quickly into their stride with number 9 Tom Knight (Old Pats) having a hand in both Gloucestershire’s early tries with his sniping runs.

Tom Price (Cleve), who was influential throughout, scored by forcing his way over with five minutes on the clock and converted his own try to put Gloucestershire into an early lead.

Winger Brandon Pettitt (Avonmouth) followed with an unconverted try out wide after 14 minutes before Kent started to play with more conviction and scored a good try of their own.

Eight minutes later Tom Price, kicking into what was quite a strong wind, slotted a penalty for Gloucestershire to ensure a two-score advantage but a converted try brought Kent to within a point of their hosts at 15-14 at the break.

Price stretched Gloucestershire’s lead with another penalty but another converted try put Kent ahead for the first time.

Gloucestershire made a raft of substitutions and one of the replacements, Nathan Brookes (Newent), barrelled over and with Price converting, Gloucestershire were back in the lead 25-21.

The scoring was finished by a fine try by captain Adam Hopkinson (University of Gloucestershire) who led by example throughout the game. With the try converted by Price, Gloucestershire ran out comfortable winners but they knew they’d been in a battle.

A Huge Congratulations must go also to Brandon & Jared who have been selected to trial with South West England Counties Trials.

Updated 21:35 - 29 Aug 2019 by Grant Britton