TUNBRIDGE WELLS Under-16s rounded off their season with a hard-fought victory over local rivals Cranbrook in the Kent Plate final.
It was the first campaign that they had benefited from training with the club’s Academy, which consists of the two age groups above them.
The final was captain Max Walker’s last match with the team, having played with the club for 11 years, before he moves to India.
And Cameron Cummings was taking on Cranbrook School colleagues.
Wells got on the scoreboard early with a well-rehearsed move by Theo Daviron, picking up the ball from a solid scrum and using his pace and evasion to run in on the blindside.
Cranbrook stopped Wells’ driving maul just short of the line but Jamie Phillips picked up the ball and dived over the ruck to score the second try.
Both tries were unconverted, so when Cranbrook scored and converted they were only three points behind.
But Wells extended their lead to 17-7 at half-time, the forwards providing several phases of quick ball to allow full-back Harry Child to score.
The second half saw several chances go amiss. Jordan Banbrook reached the line with a rampaging run but the try was disallowed.
Monty McDonald kicked a penalty to make the score 20-7, and for the last 10 minutes Wells’ defence held firm.
Cranbrook did find a consolation before the end, spinning the ball wide to score the final try.
