Kent’s under-20 rugby team have secured a semi-final spot in the National County Championship.

They will play Yorkshire for a place in the national final.

A hard fought victory on Sunday over visitors Devon put them through to the last four of the knockout competition, winning 33-29.

Kent’s plans had been disrupted before the kick off when strong wing Sam Taylor pulled up with a muscle injury in the warm-up and was replaced in the side by Cameron McCauley.

But after just five minutes a smartly taken try from Pressley Farrance put them ahead. Ben Fryatt converted for a 7-0 lead.

Devon came back strongly, however, taking advantage of some errant kicking from Kent. They scored two tries in three minutes to take the lead.

Kent’s efforts were hampered when they went down to 14 men with the hard working Galligan shown a yellow card. On the final play of the half Devon scored an unconverted try to go 19-7 ahead.

Strong running and scrummaging from all the forwards, especially from Will McColl, Maik Timmerman, Michael Fankah and Khalil gave Kent front foot ball.

On 45 minutes Will McColl’s efforts were rewarded when he powered over from short range. Ben Fryatt converted to reduce the deficit to five points.

Namir Khalil touched down after a superb five-metre scrum and another Fryatt conversion put them ahead, 21-19.

The Kent forwards were in the ascendency. Finley O’Sullivan was bossing the line out and the scrummaging continued to put Devon on the back foot.

Farrance crossed over once again just before the hour mark with good lead-up work from Fankah and Harvey Furneaux.

Devon’s standout player Cameron Johnson found enough space to get a try back and make it 26-24. It was all to play for in the last 10 minutes.

On 74 minutes Kent secured good field position and won a scrum five metres out. With their dominant scrum they drove for the line. Devon infringed and the referee awarded a penalty try.

Devon came straight back when replacement prop Pengelly crashed over from short range. No conversion left the score at 33-29.

From kick off an error from Kent gave Devon good field position and a scrum.

A delay in play saw the attacking scrum for Devon now become an uncontested affair with Devon citing front row issues. Kent then had to defend their line from Devon’s uncontested platform deep into injury time.

Back rowers Gibbons and Ward were added to provide additional mobility to fend off the Devon attack and Kent held out for the win.

Kent’s semi-final against Yorkshire takes place on Easter Sunday (2pm) at Charlton Park RFC.