Ravens brought back down to earth by Tigers

Bedford Tigers…                 32

Kent Ravens…                     28

(after extra Time, Full time: 28 v 28)

A pulse sating match saw the end of the Kent Ravens for 2008 as the Ravens bowed out of the Play off at the semi final stage, the Kent side may have been down 12 v 4 at half time with only a scrambling try from Jeff luland (playing his last match) to show for all their effort, but the grit of the squad shone through in the second half as the Ravens pegged back the minor league winners with tries from captain Aiden Oakley, hard working Mark Moonie, speedster Phil Nicholls and also Gary Sargeant but with only minutes left on the clock the Bedford side were still ahead but only just at 28 to 26 when Kent Ravens were awarded a penalty 10 metres out after a desperate Tiger defence gave away an infringement and Oakley coolly slotted over the resulting kick, 28 points all. Bedford kicked off short and regained possession, eager to win in the final seconds the home team throw the ball from wing to wing and with only second left and just metres from the Ravens try line, Kent illegally stole the ball to halt the pressure.. some how Bedford spooned the resulting kick for goal wide and sent the game into a frantic extra time period.

The only score in the extra time came from a messy play but it was the Bedford Tigers that bundled their way over the Ravens try line in the corner the progress onto the Final.

Though heart broken at getting so close, the Ravens squad went beyond what all expected and gave the league winners a good run for their money in the semi final, though disappointed all the Ravens players can walk around with their heads held high as with this performance the Kent side will look to apply for promotion into the conference for 2009 and give the squad another tough test.

For more information on the Ravens and to find out about the Play off positions, do check kentravens.co.uk, call 07707 852 952 or email alan@... and get onto the clubs email list.