Now that the dust has started to settle after an eventful weekend at Pontins Pakefield, we thought it was time to reflect on the achievements across the Kent squad before we move onto our second county match of the season.
England Team Trials
Our county was well represented across the categories, but firstly massive congratulations go to Jan Spinner who qualified for the England Ladies Team.
It is great achievement just to finish at the top end of the region to qualify for a trial in the first place. Then being pitted against the top 64 players in the country to battle it out for 8 spaces in the squad is an even tougher challenge.
So congratulations to all of our other triallists, they weren’t successful this timebut but undoubtedly will be back:
Seniors: Lee Crowhurst, Martin Prime
Under 23s: Callum Brown, Harry Compton, Jake Lloyd, Frank Moss
Ladies: Jo Herrington, Vanessa Ledger
Juniors: Callum Britt, Chase East, Erin Gannon, James Goldsmith, Josh Wheeler (trials held in January)
Inter County Finals
Firstly we must congratulate again our National Championship winning teams – Mens A and Juniors.
Mens A
Kent Mens A went one better than last year by beating Bristol A 23-18 in the final, the first ever win for a Kent team in this category. Their fate looked in the balance in the semi-final against last year’s champions Leicestershire A with both of the last two frames in play at a score of 22-20. Kent managed to win the one frame they needed to secure a spot in the final.
Our boys were never behind in the final winning the first two sets 7-4 and 8-3. With Kent’s lead at 21-12, Bristol started to get some momentum winning the first 5 frames of the final set to make the score 21-17, but Mitch Standen put us on the hill and in his first outing as captain at a National Finals, Adam Bassoo took the winning frame. This picture says it all.
Juniors
In some ways a similar story for the Juniors, runners up in 2022 and champions in 2023. The first win in this category since 2001.
The team made light work of their group matches winning 23-12 and 27-9 over Northamptonshire and West Yorkshire respectively. they took this dominance with them into the semi final beating Leicestershire 19-9. Taking the National crown with a 19-11 win over Essex in the final with Finley O’Shaughnessy getting us over the line.
We weren’t able to emulate this success in the other categories but they will all be back for another campaign.
Under 23s
A first round loss to West Midlands B put our team into the Cup event, our boys re-doubled their efforts beating London 11-3. But then faced West Midlands A and lost out 5-11 in the quarter final. Most of this team all still have time leave in this age category with only Charley Macdowall having aged out, so we’re sure they will come back stronger next year
Mens B
Expectations were undoubtedly high coming into the event as reigning champions. Unfortunately it was to be as a first round loss to Leicester put the B team into the Cup. A win against Worcestershire saw them progress to the quarter finals but our team were unable to make it any further losing 19-23 to Essex.
All good experience for the team and plenty to build on.
Ladies
The ladies team have had so much success over the years having won on 8 previous occasions. We made a good start beating Essex 23-12 in the first round and secured a semi final spot by beating Region 7 neighbours Hampshire 23-18. This was as far as the ladies were able to progress losing out to the ultimate winners Cheshire 18-23.
The current season continues…
Many thanks to all the players and supporters who were with us along the way at Pakefield. Our campaign to get to the finals again next year is already underway with our second match of the season on Mother’s Day (no need to thank us for the reminder) 19th March were we host Hampshire.