Deacons winter of discontent finishes on a high. Young guns having some fun……

Deacons vs Whitstable 2’s Away

Deacons winter of discontent finishes on a high. Young guns having some fun……

After a month without any on pitch action the Deacons ventured to Whitstable. A heavy home defeat early in the season and a really tough January playing the top 3 sides didn’t dampen our spirits.

We welcomed some new talent from UKC, prop Nigel Joseph and Jake Vovell at 10, some old talent returning from injury, Freddie Vion & Jake Beesley keeping the bench suitably warm, and Zingari talisman Leon Goode being every bit his namesake starting in the second row.

Returning from injury CCCU’s Brad Nicholson’s led another uncustomary Deacons set up, Ed Exley moving to the centres allowing Kirk Taylor another start on the wing.

Whitstable started fast but Canterbury defended well repelling the advances of the boys in blue who are well drilled and train regularly. The Deacons held their ground and tackled well organising themselves around the breakdown to great effect.
After a sustained period under pressure Whitstable struck first scoring and converting giving the home side the lead. Before long they added to their tally, a strong runner slipping out of some tackles to get across the line.

The quality of rugby was good, the Deacons were soon inside the home teams 22, testing their defence and moving the ball effectively. Just as it seemed a try was inevitable the tables turned and a penalty against the Deacons saw Whitstable kick to the corner, 10 metres out they threw their pack into a maul, driving over the line. A missed conversion saw the score at 19 – 0, the boys had worked hard but had nothing to show for it, yet.

Jake Vovell’s restarts were on the money. High and deep into Whitstable’s territory, some excellent chasing from Ed Exley, Kirk Taylor and Josh Pinnick pinning them down and not allowing a counter attack.
Not to be outdone, the forwards made some devastating runs, owning the collisions and working well on the floor.
Ronnie West had an extra weetabix for breakfast and punched powerfully through tackles. The big Skipper, Nigel & Reuben Kerr linked up to support Sam Roud at 9 and give him options at the breakdown while Leon Goode and Craig Marsh cleared out rucks relentlessly. Piers Weigh had an outstanding game, demonstrating his tackling prowess despite some dubious officiating when he was tip tackled.

Carter Jeffreys was the first to get across the line, running a lovely line picking off a couple of defenders and powering in, he’s really taken to senior rugby & is growing in confidence with every game he plays, the hard work being rewarded with his first senior try.
Jake V added the extras and half time arrived with the scoreline looking healthier at 19-7, Haribo, substitutes and some encouragement from the sideline was on hand – the momentum was shifting in our favour.

The second half begun with all to play for. The Deacons had their tales up, there was lots of positive play & the changes at half time injected more urgency, James Read & Jake Beesley with fresh legs causing chaos all over the pitch.
After some loose ball handling by Whitstable, Kirk Taylor pounced and used his footwork, power and pace to dot the ball down (also his first senior try) as we edged closer to our opponents.
Desperate to take the wind out of our sails the home side replied, scoring not once but twice, converting 1 to take them back into a commanding lead at 36 – 12.

The Deacons weren’t finished yet. Whitstable had learned not to kick the ball to Rob Horan at fullback early in the first half, and he showed them there was still life in the old dog picking up the ball using his footballing skills and scoring in the corner.
With a couple of players back on but out of position through injury & subs Freddie Vion & Steve Rutt having an impact (especially at scrum time) it was looking increasingly difficult to hold the home team at bay.

Whitstable tried to finish with a flourish only to run into James Read stripping the ball on his own try line before kicking an inspired 50/22 after a few more phases of play.
Going quickly and catching the opposition napping the forwards went to work running the ball hard towards to try line. After some great control and a number of passes the ball hit James as he flew across the line setting up an easy kick for Rob Horan to slot for the extras.

Full time whistle went at 36 -24.
Although not a win for the Deacons, it was a victory. To challenge as we did with a number of players new to the team, with little time together against a strong Whitstable set up is outstanding.

MOTM – Ed Exley

Back next week at home to Sittingbourne 2’s. Another challenge we’ll be looking to carry this week’s momentum into.

Lastly – one of our Deacons Development Pathway alumni broke a collarbone representing North Petherton in the Somerset leagues on Saturday. Speedy recovery Reilly!