Match Report

Berkshire visited our Chatham home with a number of crucial matches about to be played out.

Seniors
It started with the Seniors match against a Berkshire outfit who were undefeated in 18 Region matches. Willie Anderson shuffled his pack to try and bring an element of surprise to Berkshire and it worked a treat at the start as Steve Jepson won the lag and himself and Billy Rase put us 2:0 up. The first section was won 6:5 with Berkshire the champions they are pulling level in the second set before going 18:15 up by the end of set 3. However Kent seniors delivered an 8:3 last set, winning 5 of the last 6 frames to win a great match 23:21 which maintains 2nd place. The seniors have only lost one match this season and can qualify for nationals with another 3 wins in last 3 games. The late late call off by Andy Twigger meant a late call out for Gary Kingsnorth who turned out and duly despatched 4/4 frames to remind Captain Wilbo he could do a job. Wilbo himself gained his first 4/4 of the season to keep the Kent seniors on the right track.

Under 23
Our Under 23s captained by Jasper Simmonds are sitting top of the division, clear by 4 points having attained 4 wins and a draw. This 13:7 victory puts them perfectly in place to again win the region and to try and crack the national level . Jasper led from the front winning 4/4 with James Goldsmith chipping in with 3/4 . It’s always made easier with a good start and the under 23s took the first set 4:1 , went 7:3 , 10:5 before the 13:7 final score line.

Juniors
Our Juniors, after a year of transition are quickly finding their feet at this level and sit top of the league with four wins from four. They have big shoes to fill as our Juniors have won the last two national titles but they are certainly moving in the right direction, retaining some experience within the ranks. The first set was a tight affair with Kent edging it 5:4 but then it seems the after burners went on and they took the second set 8:1 the third 7:2 before an emphatic final set onslaught of 9:0 to win the match 29:7. Amazing stuff with James Goldsmith winning 4/4 alongside Olly Mitchell with every other player winning 3/4.. those junior players being Michail Cairns, Lucas Keepin, Finlay O’Shaugnessy, Ben Greenwood, Kieran Bruce, Liam McGrath and Charlie Jessup. Well done all.

Ladies
Our Ladies team are now sitting in 2nd place in the division, one point behind Hampshire. So if things go the way I expect then the final game of the season will be a title decider so we look forward to that massive game. I have no doubt when we get there that captain Fane will have everyone ready for that tussle. The ladies match against Berkshire started with a 7:4 win before a 9:2 second set and 7:4 third set had the match won before the 4th set began. Running out 28:16 winners it looks like they are getting it together at the right time to keep their long long streak of champions going again. Mel Clements, one of the county’s leading representatives ever delivered 4/4 with another experienced campaigner Vanessa Ledger winning 4/4. Karen Darby, Barbara Taylor and Julie Midgeley also chipped in with excellent 3/4.

C team
Moving onto the men and the C team it seems that Dave Coakley is almost a certain guarantee of taking the lead in matches, James Albert made it 2:0 and they were on their way. It was a tight couple of sections with Kent C winning 6:5 and 6:5 before moving up a gear to win the 3rd and 4th sets 8:3 and 8:3 to claim a 28:16 victory, top of the division and 7 points clear with 6 wins and a draw.

B team
Our B team remain at the top of the division despite a 23:21 loss. Two wins and a draw from the last three games will likely be enough to see them win back the title from Berkshire themselves. Kent B won the first set 6:5 with Jake Lloyd leading from the front and winning 3/4. However, the second set ended with Berkshire leading 12:10 and it was all to play for. Jamie Gamble and Jamie O’Donnell both with 3/4 helped to put Kent back in the lead at the end of the third set 17:16. However, 4 winning frames from the last 5 for Berkshire keeps them in the hunt for the title.

A team
The A team knew that a win over Berkshire would make them favourites for the title, a title never won by Kent. Somehow, for some reason, things keep getting snatched from our grasp and despite winning 3 of the 4 sets our A team fell to Berkshire 23:21. I believe our As team have only lost 4 of 28 sets this season which unfortunately has led to them losing matches. Another 3rd set loss of 8:3 put the As on the back foot and despite winning the last set 6:5 it wasn’t enough for the draw and Berkshire now take in the role of favourites.. Kent have slipped to 4th, three points behind and need to win their final 3 games to have a chance of national qualification. Josh Patel and Pat Cunningham both delivered 4/4 frames as the set scores went 6:5, 12:10, 15:18 and 21:23.

Away to London at Spots and Stripes on September 15th, always well looked after by Nigel and his team. Stay safe all and see you then.

All the best .
Wilbo

Final Scores

u23s	13:7 WIN
Seniors	23:21 WIN
Juniors	29:7 WIN
Ladies	28:16 WIN
A	21:23 LOSS
B	21:23 LOSS
C	28:16 WIN