Pilgrims Win Title and Promotion

Heathfield & Waldron 7 Pilgrims 27

by Dan Gill

Pilgrims are champions of Counties Kent One after this clear cut victory and will be promoted to Regional South East 2 next season, Level 6 in the RFU league structure. It is a fine achievement for a side that has now won back to back titles. At Heathfield they quickly settled into their stride as the forwards imposed themselves with a number of strong drives. The backs almost capitalised with their first foray into the Heathfield 22 after a fine break by returning centre Jordan Constant was only stopped by some last ditch defending. Pilgrims were quick to reapply the pressure and drove deep into Heathfield territory before scrum half Hector Valladares found Owain Collins on the short side. His pace saw him dot down for the first score which he also converted. Pilgrims’ defence was once again excellent and their tenacity was forcing mistakes from the home side. A wayward Heathfield lineout was well recovered, the forwards made inroads and the backs moved the ball to wing Gus Lister who evaded the defence to score his 15th try of the season which kept him top of the league try scoring charts. Collins again converted to take the lead to 14-0. The home side were a danger with ball in hand and had pace on the wings, but the aggressive Pilgrims defence continued to keep them at bay and Guy Hilton’s and Collins’ effective running from deep put them on the front foot. Collins took advantage by adding a penalty goal when Heathfield illegally slowed down a ruck to give Pilgrims a 17-0 halftime lead. The home side started the second half brightly, moving the ball to their pacey wide men and only an over hit kick stopped them from scoring. But Pilgrims responded well and stretched the lead to 24 points midway through the half. Veterans Dan Gill and Nathan Morris did well to keep the ball alive before the backs spread the ball to Adrian Geddes who forced his way over in the corner and Collins expertly converted. The fly half then added another three penalty points before an injury to centre Tom Halliday led to Will Hunt stepping out of the back row and into the centre. Heathfield came back strongly but Pilgrims defence again remained resolute, even after Gill received a yellow card for an infringement. Henry Kenny, McCormack and captain Al Evans led the defensive resistance before the team returned to full strength and looked to add a bonus point try. Despite coming close on a number of occasions, it was Heathfield who got the game’s final score, dotting down under the posts in the last play. The day, however, and the title went to Pilgrims.

Pilgrims: Macmillan, Demery, Morris, Kenny, Hunt, McCormack, Divine, Evans, Valladares, Collins, Trew-Neville, Constant, Halliday, Lister, G Hilton, Gill, Everrat, Geddes.