By Graham Cox

Kent passed the first test of their Bill Beaumont County Championship Division 1 title defence with a 32-30 win away at Hampshire.

The reigning champions had led the contest from the ninth minute through player-coach Tom Stradwick (Blackheath), but had to hang on against tenacious opponents who would not let them pull clear, and whose 77th-minute try put them within two points for a nervy finish.

Injuries to key Kent personnel in both halves proved another challenge, with Tonbridge Juddians’ Ollie Claxton, on the bench as a replacement centre-half and with next-to-no rugby this season, thrust into a less-than-familiar role as early as the fifth minute.

“We had massive disruption at the start of each half,” said Kent director of rugby Taff Gwilliam.

“Losing Sam Evans, our game-manager and frontline kicker to injury within five minutes, and then Will Waddington (shoulder) at the start of the second period had a huge impact on us and our continuity as a team.

“Nevertheless, our boys showed character and resilience to overcome those setbacks, and we exhibited the perseverance to hang in there.

“Fair play to Hampshire. We’ve had very close games with them over the last couple of seasons and today was no different. They really came after us but, in the end, we got over the line because the quality of our team shone out.”

Evans was stretchered from the all-weather playing surface at Hooks Lane as Kent came under early pressure, but having lifted the siege through a turnover penalty, the visitors launched a move down the right flank, Blackheath’s Archie Holland making ground, before clubmate Stradwick crossed for a 5-0 advantage.

Hampshire responded with three points from the reliable boot of Lewis Dennett, but while both sides struggled for control during a scrappy first period, Kent’s heavier penalty count gave the hosts the better opportunities. Only a Stradwick turnover, and a vital interception from Garry Jones (Canterbury), thwarted them as the interval approached.

However, and despite the loss of Canterbury’s Waddington, it was soon after the restart that Kent began to get a grip.

Keeping ball in hand in midfield, and moving play neatly, space was made for Westcombe Park’s Rafael Dutta to cross, the skipper and blindside showing great pace down the right.

Although Dennett’s second penalty for not rolling nibbled back three points, great work from Blackheath’s Ben Charnock off the blindside of a scrum, and then again driving infield, saw the excellent Charlie Self (Tonbridge Juddians) across for a 17-6 lead.

Hampshire were frustrated with the ball held up across the goalline, but a penalty kept infield saw Worthing wing Curtis Barnes set off on a stunning break before sending No.8 Dylan Read over.

In a chaotic 13-minute spell mid-half, a mistake at the restart allowed Dutta to claim possession, great handling enabling Jones to score, while Tottonians hooker Liam Murphy slid over as Kent infringements again invited Hampshire pressure, but a neat offload from Claxton sent Canterbury’s Alfie Orris clear for the visitors to retain the advantage at 29-20.

A Dennett penalty for a scrum collapse closed the gap, only for Claxton to restore the nine-point advantage following a high tackle, but Hampshire kept pressing and a late converted score from Ross Parkins lifted the home support and gave the holders some edgy last moments.

Kent now have home advantage as they move on to face a Cornwall side on Saturday looking to avenge their 34-31 defeat at Camborne last year. The match at Broad Walk, home to Charlton Park, kicks off at 2pm.

Kent: Hotston (Dorking), Jones (Canterbury), Stone (Sevenoaks), Waddington (Canterbury), Orris (Canterbury), Evans (Tonbridge Juddians), Daly (Blackheath), Boon (Tonbridge Juddians), Walliker (Blackheath), Holland (Blackheath), Self (Tonbridge Juddians), Stradwick (Blackheath), Dutta (Westcombe Park), Chawner (Westcombe Park), Charnock (Blackheath). Replacements: Witchell (Blackheath), Macmillan (Canterbury), Fankah (Canterbury), Murray (Canterbury), O’Donoghue (Canterbury), Claxton (Tonbridge Juddians), Shergold (Westcombe Park).