The U9's Roar at The Canterbury Festival

Deal and Betteshanger Lions U9's started their first season of full contact by winning the Canterbury Rugby Festival.

The Lions had drawn Folkestone, Dover, Ashford and Cranbrook in their qualifying league with the top team playing the winners from the other league in the final.

The first game was against Ashford and there was a nervous tension amongst the parents and coaches. However, all fears were quickly dispelled with an early score from Jack Kilby, coupled with an excellent defensive display from all the players saw the Lions end up 3 – 0 victors.

The Lions started where they left off against Ashford in their second game against Folkestone, who had also started brightly with them winning their 1st game. Aggressive defence, from Kieran Harris, Ben Lockett and Tommy Hurrell and some strong direct running from Joe Morgan and George Gaylard saw the Lions run out as 4 -1 winners.

The third game was a clash between local rivals Dover. The Lions were now on a high and no matter what was put in front of them Deal were ready. Once again a strong defensive line kept Dover from scoring and this allowed Deal to hit them on the counter attack. After a strong run and a pass out of contact from Freya Henderson , the ever present Harry Melady was able to score. The Lions eventually ended winning this match 3-0.

By the time the Lions came to play their last league match they were already guaranteed a place in the final. This allowed the coaches the opportunity to give some of the newer U9 players a well-deserved run out, and the coaches were not disappointed, Even though they had only been playing rugby for a few weeks Finlay Millar, Tom Jacques and Dexda Hale showed some real signs of promise with good link up play, strong tackling and good ball handling skills. Even though Cranbrook came out narrow winners in this game their effort, determination and willingness to put 100% into every minute they were on the pitch means there are exciting times ahead for The Lions U9's.

The final saw a replay of the East Kent Final from last year with The Lions playing against a strong Canterbury side who had won all of their league games conceding only two tries.

From the very start of this decisive game Canterbury were obviously a very well drilled strong running team. Canterbury’s open pass showed signs of things to come with dummy runners running good angles trying to create space for the ball carrier. However, once again Deal's defence held up, some very good attacking play from Canterbury could not get past the Lion’s wall of defenders. Much of the 1st half saw strong running and a resolute defence from both sides and when the half time whistle blew the two teams could still not be separated. As the second half started Deal started to put together some very strong attacking play with Stanley Curling making some strong carries up the middle of the park. Deal was camped in Canterbury's half looking to break their defence. Following a classic mazy run by Jack Kilby, it was Ben Lockett who provided the vital break through, scoring in the corner under a lot of pressure from two Canterbury tacklers. Yet a lapse in concentration saw Canterbury immediately levelling the score from the restart. This saw the Lions raise their game again, the Lions pushed and pushed up the middle of the park getting closer and closer to Canterbury's try line. Sam Donnelly took the ball into contact and presented the ball for Tommy Hurrell who passed to the Lions’ own Tasmanian Devil Kieran Harris. Bursting through two tackles and carrying what seemed like the rest of the Canterbury team over the line to score, 2 - 1 to the Lions.

The restart saw the referee signalling that this was to be the last passage of play. Could Canterbury score again from the restart again? A couple of strong tackles in the middle of the park from the Lions slowed the Canterbury attack before the ball was passed out to a Canterbury player who raced down the right wing. When it seemed a certain try was going to be scored Sam Donnelly put in a classic covering tackle. Taking the Canterbury player low around the legs combined with pace and aggression saw the ball knocked on by the Canterbury player. With that the final whistle blew and after a hard fought match from both sides the Lions finished as CHAMPIONS.

Jamie, Grant and Steve would like to say a big thank you to all the parents, supporters, players and coaches from the other Lions teams that came along to cheer the U9's to victory.

Under 9's Team

Joe Morgan, Jack Kilby, Freya Henderson, Ben Lockett, Sam Donnelly, George Gaylard, Harry Meleady, Stan Curling, Dexda Hale, Tommy Hurrell, Finlay Millar, Tom Jacques and Kieron Harris.

Report By Grant Lockett