Match Report
Kent travelled to London with the aim of cementing their positions in the leagues at the expense of their closest rivals and managed to do this in five of the six matches being played on the day.
Seniors (table position = 2nd)
Unfortunately, it was the senior team that failed to get the victory that would have been 6/6 matches won and that loss of 23:21 has dampened their objective of finishing 2nd in the league and qualifying for the nationals early next year.
Captain Wilbo recognised that this was a game that has hampered the Kent side a few times over the years and therefore reminded his team to play to the standard of the majority of games played this year. Sadly, the Kent side never seemed to take the chances that were presented to them and the match just kept slipping away. By the time the Kent side mounted a challenge to win the last set 8:3 it was too little too late and a narrow but painful loss means that Kent must win their last two home games against Hampshire then Surrey to qualify. If the team play like they have demonstrated they can this year this can happen.
Andy Twigger and Andy Gee both won 4/4 on the day.
Under 23s (table position = 1st)
Our Under 23s had no such trouble in despatching the London side , only losing 4 frames along the way to a 16:4 win.
Jake Lloyd, Jasper Simmonds and Finley O’Shaughnessy all recorded 4/4 in a dominant display with Jake and Jasper then moving into their men’s games to get another 4/4 making them 8/8 for the day. Great stuff lads, get ready for the nationals this time around. One more win clinches the title for 2024.
Ladies (table position = 2nd)
Kent Ladies have taken the team into what could be a league decider next month v Hampshire. They recorded an emphatic victory 31:13 which means they sit a solitary point behind Hampshire with that game the next match on the calendar.
Jan Spinner, Amy Cook and Hannah Bevan all recorded impressive 4/4 and were ably backed up throughout the team, so we look ahead with anticipation to what the ladies team can produce at home next time out. I am sure Captain Fane is already planning their strategy for winning this game.
C team (table position = 1st and 2024 Champions)
The combination of youth and experience seems to have worked a treat in this C team this year as they have won the title with 3 games to spare (9-point gap to 2nd place). Lots of the players this year have demonstrated why they were managers picks last year and the strength of the trials last year has reaped its rewards.
It was not plain sailing on this occasion however as the C team were 17:16 down after 3 sets gone. It got worse as it went 20:17 down. However, they managed to gather their composure under captain Cox and went up in the match after winning 6 of the last 7 frames to win the match 23:21.
Congratulations all for a great season and I look forward to seeing those individual stats at the end of the year as I suspect there are a few high numbers in there something for the team manager to think about moving forward.
Scott Woods, Paul Cox , Makhan Notay and Jamie Fenech all getting 3/4 bon the day to get the team over the line.
B team (table position = 1st)
Our B team need now need one more win for the title following a close fought 23:21 win and I suspect they will want that to be in the next match at home against Hampshire.
It wasn’t a good start for our B team as they lost the first set 8:3, were 12:10 down after the 2nd set then stormed back with an 8:3 third set win of their own before hanging on for the win.
All in all the team has played well this year with vice-Captain, Farron Rowe keen to point out there are still areas of development to work on. I think this can be said of most of the teams and I am hoping we see our teams finish off their business in style over the coming two games to pick up the silverware they deserve.
Big Rangers fan Jamie O Donnell (won’t mention West Ham) won 4/4 alongside Jake Lloyd to put the team one win away from taking back the title they lost last year.
A team (table position = 3rd)
No change in terms of position in the league as they did what they had to in winning the game 27-17. Kent A can only keep winning hoping for others to slip up in order for A team to finish in top 2 for the season. Dave Fernandez (Captain) and Jasper Simmonds (Vice Captain) led the way with 8/8 between them.
Mitchell Standen and Josh Patel both chipped in with 3 each.
Redders / Chief passes the 1400 frame mark!!
Congratulations to Andy Redsull who went through the 1400 frames barrier during the day, the B team captain has demonstrated longevity for 3 if not 4 decades to get to this position so well done to you Andy.
Also passing significant milestones this year have been:
Vanessa Ledger: 1000 frames
Mel Clements: 1000 frames
Andy Twigger: 500 frames
Josh Patel: 400 frames
Mitch Standen: 400 frames
See the County Medals page for others coming through significant milestones
So onward we go with everything to play for in a couple of divisions with big matches coming up. Next match at home to Hampshire on 6th October so get your cue arms in before then to be ready on the day.
I will be watching from the lovely island of Corfu but as you know I will be keeping a keen interest on what’s going on.
All the best to you all.
Wilbo
Final Scores
| u23s | 4:16 WIN |
| Seniors | 23:21 LOSS |
| Juniors | no match |
| Ladies | 13:31 WIN |
| A | 17:27 WIN |
| B | 21:23 WIN |
| C | 21:23 WIN |
Tables after match 8
Full results on EPA website
