Sheppey (red and white) come away with the ball Picture: Phil Houghton

by Andrew Gidley

Sheppey coach Pete Olliver says he is happy with the RFU Junior Vase quarter-final draw against Eastern Counties 1 side Cantabrigians on Saturday week.

Olliver admits the trip to Cambridge will be a journey into the unknown but added: "We are pleased because most sides left in the competition are either unbeaten or have lost only once but this side have lost five.

"We don’t know much about them but that’s the way it goes in cup rugby."

Cantabrigians reached the last eight with a 16-4 win at Saracen Amateurs and are third in their league.

Sheppey, one of two Kent clubs left in the competition – Ashford are the other county survivors – had a crowd of around 250 to see them dispose of Millbrook, from Southampton, 64-7.

Winger Chris Bain scored four tries, while Brad Box, Dave Smith and Chris Champ all played their part.

Olliver said: "They couldn’t live with us for the first 20 minutes and didn’t know what hit them. It was a fine all-round performance.

"We were 33-0 up at half-time and restricted them to just one little purple patch in the whole game.

"Every time Chris got the ball he looked as though he would score. Brad did well while ball carriers Smith and Champ got through plenty of work in the engine room of the side."

Victory for Sheppey will put them into the London Divisional semi-finals and three games away from the National Final at Twickenham.

Olliver added: "It promises to be a huge end to the season for us. We are trying not to think about it too much but the team are buzzing and everyone is getting excited about the prospect."

Sheppey return to Kent 1 action with a trip to Vigo on Saturday, as they close in on the runners-up spot and
a place in the end of season
play-offs.

Martin Robinson could be a doubt after playing last weekend despite a groin problem which has troubled him for some time.