Ravens Sink Admirals

Kent Ravens 34 Greenwich Admirals 18

With the rain lashing down the Ravens dominated the match against local rivals Greenwich through their powerful forwards, but the game could have been so different after the Ravens let Greenwich in for a early try from Ben Medhurst within the opening five minutes but as James Hardy added to extras for the visitors the Ravens turned back on and brought together the skills that have won the last two away matches. Great work out wide from Jason Oliver set up second row Michael Walton against a Greenwich winger and there was no contest as Walton breezed past to notch up the Ravens first points, Kent kept the pressure on to put skill debutant Bobby Connolly over for more points to give unfazed substitute Tom Claridge a difficult kick for the extra points, Raven up 10 to 6. The tactics for Kent changed when they brought on Richard Williams and Darren Griffin to change the pack from strength to more mobile, but it was a 5^th tackle kick straight into touch from the Admirals that set the Ravens up for the next try as Captain Drummond worked well with stand off Richard Whelan sent man of the match Richard Paddick over the white wash and Whelan added the extras to send the teams in at the break with a score line of 16 – 6 to the Ravens.

The second half started of the same way the first did as the Admirals scored within minutes of the restart through skilful scrum half Jack Webb and Hardy again added the extras. But without any hesitation the Ravens came back at the Admirals with an early high kick from Whelan sailed high and wide for Claridge to claim, evade the opposition wing and score in the corner to give him self on of the most difficult conversions, right on the touch line forcing him to run up from in the crowd, as usual he made it look easy 22 – 12 to Kent and even though Greenwich got another 6 pointer from Hardy there was not way back for them. As The Kent side made there determination show as John Richardson added a try and to finish the match off in style full back Constantine Hatzidakis out paced the Greenwich defence out side to produce Kent Ravens most impressive display this season with a 34 – 18 win that moves the side up to second in the table with only Broadstairs ahead of them on points difference only.

Next week the Ravens men take on St Albans at home at 2:30pm

Ravens Women tame the bears

Kent Ravens Women 26 Coventry Bears 22

The Ravens women took early control over the travelling Bears, even with 11 debutants in the squad the Ravens were able to open up a 20 – 8 lead in the first half with three tries from unstoppable prop Hebe West and one from centre Carolyn Waugh, the extra conversions were added by Victoria Instone and debutant Hannah Grant but it was the strong defence and organisation from captain Becky Ballance and vice captain Anna Plews that kept the Ravens in the game in the second Half as even though the Bears had a player sent off the pressure mounted on the Ravens as Coventry pegged back the scores, but just as the Bears were one score away from levelling the match Claire Carver worked an opening to send West over for our fourth of the match and Grant added the extras. There was just enough time for the Bear to peg back one more score and bring the teams to within 4 points of each other but great defensive work from all the Ravens meant they hung on to a 26 – 22 score line to record the first win the Ravens Women’s team and give them a winning start to the 2006 London League.

Next week the Ravens men take on reigning Champions West London Sharks at home at 1:00pm, for further information please see www.kentravens.co.uk or call 07707 852 952

Travelling Ravens win again

Haringey Hornets 4 vs. Kent Ravens 34

After a dramatic win the week before, the Ravens showed their skills as they outclassed the Haringey Hornets. The Ravens, suffering many injuries and unavailable players selected six teenagers in their first team but this did not upset the team rhyme as Captain Ewen Drummond strolled in for the opening try of the match with the first few minutes, while 16 year old stand off Tom Claridge added the extras with the first of his 7 from 7 kicks in the match.

The Ravens continued to put the Hornets under pressure with Vice captain John Richardson smashing his way over to grab another try and the extra points were added again. But with half time coming up the Kent side let down their guard for one second to let Haringey register their only points of the game with a try, however Haringey became too eager with the break coming up and gave away two penalties for Claridge to add the ravens score, half time the scores were Haringey 4, Kent 16.

With an inspirational speech from Edward Easter at half time, the Ravens came out with all guns blazing and soon tries were added from John Richardson (6 tries in 4 games now) and speedy prop Monish Shome. But the best try of the match was left till last, as the ravens soaked up another strong Haringey attack on their line; Kent forced another knock on from the hornets after another bone crushing attack from Tom Rogerson. Great work from first Hywel Gosling and then the power from Richard Williams gave man of the match John Brown space from the off load to evade three would be tacklers and take the ball 40 metres up the pitch, the long looping pass found 16 year old Aiden Oakley on the wing who drove inside but with two Haringey players ahead of him he put the chip kick over them and then won the race to ground the ball, Claridge again added the extra points and the final whistle went as the ravens players celebrated a great win 34 points to 4, which takes the Ravens to 3^rd in the table with only points difference separating them from 1^st.

This great weekend for the Ravens continued, as the Under 13s also travelled away to Brentwood Elvers and they came back with a stunning 44 points to 8 win, Harry Rogers, Sam Cannon and Ben Abbott all got a brace of tries, while vice captain Tom Jewers added 4 goals. But it was left to man of match James Jewers to grab his hat trick in he’s first outing for the Ravens.

Next weekend will see the Kent Ravens take on local rivals Greenwich Admirals at home (Eltham Palace Road) at 2:30pm with the Under 13s taking on Mitcham Bulls and the Women’s team in their first outing this year against Coventry Bears playing before.

The Ravens are also urging all members and supporter to be at the club on Saturday 27^th May, as their will be a ground breaking announcement regarding the Club next season made in the club house at 6:00pm.

For any further information and if you are interested in joining any of our teams including the women’s, men’s or youths please see www.kentravens.co.uk or call 07707 852 952

Early Mistakes ruin ravens opener

The Kent Ravens battled away in the first ever Kent Derby in a National league in Rugby League, as the two promoted team: last season’s London League Plate and overall champions did battle at Eltham Palace Road.

However it was strong Power from the Broadstairs pack and centres out wide that controlled the early exchanges and produced the first try as the game ticked past the 10 minute mark, but the Ravens battled back when prop John Richardson made his mark have just coming on to bring the score back to 4-6.

With only fifteen minutes until half time to Ravens, became too eager to score producing knock-on’s and missed tackles, the Bulldogs edged away from the Home side to enter the break up 4-24.

The Ravens came out for the second half looking the stronger team after strong words from stand in Captain Drummond and injured vice captain Ed Easter. But great pressure from the Bulldogs wide centres meant Broadstairs added to their tally. The Ravens continued to fight as the second half swung from one team to the next, and Kent make the pressure pay when Richard Paddick added a try and Tom Claridge added the extra points from the conversion.

The final 25minutes of the match saw Broadstairs soak up the Ravens pressure and the game finished on 24 point to 10.

Next weekend will see the Kent Ravens youth take enter the Harlequins Tournament at the Twickenham Stoop while the men’s 1^st team will be travelling up to play Hemel Hempstead Stags at 2:30pm. For any further information and if you are interested in joining any of our teams including the women’s, men’s or youths please see www.kentravens.co.uk or call 07707 852 952