BackSat 24 Oct 2026 · Counties 1 Kent
Park House
1st XV
21
21
Tries: A Cooper, J Morgan, N CollinsConversions: T Best, C Moss (2)
Deal & Betteshanger Lions Travel to Park House Looking to Build on Home Victory
Adrian Nelson
Deal & Betteshanger RFC return to the road this Saturday, 24 October, when they travel to Park House RFC for their latest Counties 1 Kent league fixture.
Following an impressive victory over Crowborough in their first home match of the season, the Lions will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure another important league win.
Last Saturday's 62–31 victory over Crowborough provided an encouraging response to successive away defeats against Ashford and Gillingham Anchorians. Playing in their new strip for the first time, Deal produced an attacking display that demonstrated the side's ability to create scoring opportunities and convert possession into points.
The result was particularly welcome following a challenging opening sequence of fixtures. Deal began their campaign with a hard-fought 15–10 victory away at Thanet Wanderers before suffering a 38–12 defeat at Ashford. A much-improved performance against Gillingham Anchorians followed, although the Lions narrowly lost 31–26 despite remaining competitive throughout.
The victory over Crowborough will have provided a significant confidence boost ahead of another demanding away fixture.
Assessing the Opposition
Park House have also experienced a mixed start to their Counties 1 Kent campaign, recording one victory from their opening three league fixtures.
Their season began with a heavy 52–5 defeat away to Heathfield & Waldron, but they responded positively with a notable 29–27 home victory against Gillingham Anchorians. That result demonstrated their ability to compete with established opposition and highlighted the importance of taking Park House seriously on their own ground.
A subsequent 27–10 defeat away to Tonbridge Juddians II illustrated the competitive nature of the division, where maintaining consistency remains a challenge for many clubs.
Park House's victory over Gillingham is particularly relevant given Deal's narrow defeat against the same opposition. It suggests that, despite their respective early-season results, there may be relatively little separating the two sides.
Key Areas for the Lions
For Deal, Saturday's challenge will be to reproduce the attacking effectiveness shown against Crowborough while maintaining greater defensive discipline.
Although scoring 62 points was an impressive achievement, conceding 31 will provide areas for consideration as the squad prepares for its next fixture.
A strong performance from the forwards will be important in establishing a platform for the backs, while effective management of possession and territory could prove decisive.
Discipline, defensive organisation and the ability to maintain intensity throughout the full 80 minutes will also be essential against opponents who have already demonstrated their competitiveness at home.
With both clubs seeking to establish themselves in the league standings, the fixture presents an opportunity to gain valuable points and build confidence as the season develops.
An Important Opportunity
The Lions have already shown resilience during their opening fixtures, particularly in the narrow contest at Gillingham and their convincing home victory over Crowborough.
Saturday offers an opportunity to turn those encouraging performances into greater consistency and secure a second away victory of the campaign.
Park House will undoubtedly have their own ambitions, particularly in front of their home supporters, and Deal can expect a competitive encounter.
For the Lions, the objective will be clear: build on last weekend's success, deliver a disciplined and committed performance, and return to Deal with another positive result.
Fixture: Park House RFC v Deal & Betteshanger RFC
Date: Saturday 24 October 2026
Competition: Counties 1 Kent
The club encourages supporters travelling to the fixture to get behind the Lions as they look to continue their progress in the 2026/27 campaign.
Last Saturday's 62–31 victory over Crowborough provided an encouraging response to successive away defeats against Ashford and Gillingham Anchorians. Playing in their new strip for the first time, Deal produced an attacking display that demonstrated the side's ability to create scoring opportunities and convert possession into points.
The result was particularly welcome following a challenging opening sequence of fixtures. Deal began their campaign with a hard-fought 15–10 victory away at Thanet Wanderers before suffering a 38–12 defeat at Ashford. A much-improved performance against Gillingham Anchorians followed, although the Lions narrowly lost 31–26 despite remaining competitive throughout.
The victory over Crowborough will have provided a significant confidence boost ahead of another demanding away fixture.
Assessing the Opposition
Park House have also experienced a mixed start to their Counties 1 Kent campaign, recording one victory from their opening three league fixtures.
Their season began with a heavy 52–5 defeat away to Heathfield & Waldron, but they responded positively with a notable 29–27 home victory against Gillingham Anchorians. That result demonstrated their ability to compete with established opposition and highlighted the importance of taking Park House seriously on their own ground.
A subsequent 27–10 defeat away to Tonbridge Juddians II illustrated the competitive nature of the division, where maintaining consistency remains a challenge for many clubs.
Park House's victory over Gillingham is particularly relevant given Deal's narrow defeat against the same opposition. It suggests that, despite their respective early-season results, there may be relatively little separating the two sides.
Key Areas for the Lions
For Deal, Saturday's challenge will be to reproduce the attacking effectiveness shown against Crowborough while maintaining greater defensive discipline.
Although scoring 62 points was an impressive achievement, conceding 31 will provide areas for consideration as the squad prepares for its next fixture.
A strong performance from the forwards will be important in establishing a platform for the backs, while effective management of possession and territory could prove decisive.
Discipline, defensive organisation and the ability to maintain intensity throughout the full 80 minutes will also be essential against opponents who have already demonstrated their competitiveness at home.
With both clubs seeking to establish themselves in the league standings, the fixture presents an opportunity to gain valuable points and build confidence as the season develops.
An Important Opportunity
The Lions have already shown resilience during their opening fixtures, particularly in the narrow contest at Gillingham and their convincing home victory over Crowborough.
Saturday offers an opportunity to turn those encouraging performances into greater consistency and secure a second away victory of the campaign.
Park House will undoubtedly have their own ambitions, particularly in front of their home supporters, and Deal can expect a competitive encounter.
For the Lions, the objective will be clear: build on last weekend's success, deliver a disciplined and committed performance, and return to Deal with another positive result.
Fixture: Park House RFC v Deal & Betteshanger RFC
Date: Saturday 24 October 2026
Competition: Counties 1 Kent
The club encourages supporters travelling to the fixture to get behind the Lions as they look to continue their progress in the 2026/27 campaign.
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