For Saturday’s County Championship Plate Final, Durham recalled Mark Bedworth (who was unavailable for the semi-final last week against Oxfordshire), at fly half and the selectors switched scrum half Martin Lithgo to wing, leaving winger Peter Evans on the bench. Kent’s listed fly half Martin Beaumont had to miss the game because he is about to become a father so Aylesford’s David Dorton wore the number 10 shirt
Under a blue, cloudless sky, on a very hot day, the referee, Andrew Vertigan (RFU), had very sensibly decided to allow drinks break during the game.
Two minutes after the kick-off, Durham were awarded a penalty when Kent were caught off-side, which Bedworth kicked.
Durham’s with a slight breeze in their favour continued to have better of the territorial advantage, and 11 minutes into the game were awarded a second penalty which Bedworth’s trusty boot dispatched between the uprights to add another 3 points. Kent immediately from the restart and were awarded a penalty when Durham went over the top at a ruck, which was kicked by fly half Dorton
For the first time in this Championship, Durham’s pack were matched in the scrummage, but managed to use the driving maul effectively and their line-out play was excellent throughout the game as indeed it has been throughout the Championship.
Both sides pressed but the only score was a third penalty to Durham which Bedworth kicked just after the half hour. Kent did have a chance to narrow the scores with a second penalty a few minutes later but Dorton’s effort went wide of the posts.
Durham had to withstand tremendous pressure from the visitor’s at the end of the half, but Durham’s well organised defence held firm with some last ditch tackles preventing Kent from crossing the line. . Kent’s attempted drop goal just on half time also went wide, to ensure the home team took a 9pts to 3pts into the break.
Philip Eggleshaw, Durham’s No 8, had been injured in the first five minutes of the first half but carried on was replaced at half time by Gateshead’s Martin Pluskal. Eggleshaw, who has put in some sterling work in the back row during the Championship and it was unfortunate that he couldn’t continue.
Durham started strongly after the break, and 5 minutes in to the half, blind-side flanker Joe Thomas broke through the stout Kent defence to get his name on the score-sheet with a try. Bedworth failed with the touchline conversion.
Bedworth added his fourth penalty of the afternoon before Dorton pegged back the lead to 17pts to 9pts with two penalties for the visitors.
The outcome was in the balance as the game entered its final phase, until a touch of individual brilliance saw David Astle outpace the defence from well inside his own half for a magnificent try to which Bedworth added the extra points. Billingham’s Peter Evans then touched down for a spectacular try to stretch Durham’s lead before Chris Clay had the final word with a consolation try for Kent in the last minutes.
The trophy was presented by ex England & British Lions fly-half Phil Horrocks-Taylor to proud skipper, West Hartlepool’s Andrew Dixon, fitting reward for a player who has served Durham with distinction for many years.
Final Score Durham 29 pts vs Kent 14pts
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