Ravens End season flying high

With the first season in the national conference now behind them the Kent Ravens finish off a memorable 2006 season by holding their spectacular awards dinner last weekend.

The turn out was great as the first award of the evening went to the top point scorers with Paula Cooper picking up this award for the second year running and by setting a new club record 16 year old Thomas Claridge pick up the men’s version. Before main course could be served up to all the guests there was enough time for Hebe West to pick up the women’s top try scorer award with five tries from five games and powerful prop John Richardson took the men’s trophy with 10 tries in eleven games.

The night moved as the club awards the youth players within the ravens, when 16 year old Lana Bell picked up the women’s young player of the season and the try scoring machine of Richard Paddick (22 years old) did the same for the men. Roisin Wheeler and Second row Richard Williams then took the most improved players within the club.

With dessert and a moving speech from captain Ewen Drummond out the way the trophy that everyone wanted to walk away with, for Kent Ravens Player of the Season, first for the women’s team went to hardworking loose forward and captain Rebecca Balance while utility player Darren Griffin took the same award for the men’s team.

An impressive testament to the way this young club is moving forward was shown when the club handed out watches to volunteers: Pat Howling (Medical), Kenny Bell (Women’s coach) and Edward Easter (Men’s coach). With the players offering a massive round of applause for the hard work of the ravens committee of Vicki Stewart, Mike Richardson, Jed Donnelly and Alan Bacon, the introductions of the new coaching structure for 2007 was unveiled: Women’s Coach will be continuing Kenny Bell and Alex Osborne as his assistant while the men we be under the guidance of ex-Crawley Jets, South of England Coach Glenn Tyreman with ex-Essex Eels captain Mike Muir as his assistant.

The night was rounded of in a part atmosphere as the Disco kicked off, but the excitement that existed for 2007 with the ravens moving into the prestigious 4,500 capacity Princes Park Stadium in Dartford was plain to hear in the speeches, Kenny Bell commented “how the women’s have improved with every match and next season can only make them stronger” Easter added “if it wasn’t for injuries 2006 would have been as good as we all know 2007 will be” and new head coach Tyreman said “that he is excited to work with a club that has so much potential”

If you are interested in Playing for any of the Kent Ravens in 2007, sponsoring or volunteering then please get into touch with the club on 07707 852 952 or email kentravens@... and you can also see our web site at www.kentravens.co.uk