Kent Vets Spitfire Shield Final, 13 April 2025
The Buccs claimed a rare piece of silverware on Sunday, winning 38-12 against a combative Vigo side at Maidstone.
It was a shaky start, with notional skipper Andy Lock arriving late for kick-off having flown from Budapest that morning, and replacement captain James Pierson dislocating his finger in the first three minutes of the game. JP’s digit was straightened and strapped up, but the shakiness continued in the form of indiscipline, which gifted field position to Vigo and they were able to open the scoring with a try by one of their weighty centres.
Happily, the Buccs woke up thereafter. A deep restart from Pierson was unconvincingly cleared by Vigo, giving the Club a lineout which was smartly claimed, and after a few phases sufficient space appeared for fullback Jonny Moore to break a tackle and scamper through under the posts. An even quarter of an hour then followed as the Buccs started to exert some dominance in the scrums and with their midfield line speed. Pressure built and with the tryline begging, Jim Nugent showed that his juggling act still needs work. Happily, at the ensuing scrum, the Club forwards shunted the Vigo pack backwards and Number 8 Alan Onyango was able to give Blackheath the lead.
Locky had finally turned up by this point, and was able to draw enough interest from the Vigo defenders for space to appear in front of Moore, which he exploited and got away from the remaining Vigo cover and score his second try just before half time. The referee showed Moore a yellow card for an infringement at the breakdown early in the second half, but Vigo were unable to make their advantage count. The Club weathered the immediate pressure and through phases and a penalty won a lineout outside the Vigo 22, and Flanker Joe Hodgkiss carried hard to within a yard or two of the tryline. Dan Gilmour reacted fastest and was able to pick and dot the ball down to increase the lead for the 14-man Buccaneers.
Vigo were not finished, and enjoyed another spell of pressure, which after repeated phases and penalties did threaten another try, but the Buccs had other ideas. Following a turnover inside their own 22, Moore was able to hit the edge with centres Mark Lordan and Jose Fernandez in support on the inside. After some great interplay up the field, Moore ended up crossing the line for his third try.
Though it would have taken a remarkable collapse by Blackheath for victory slip at this stage, Vigo were still playing well and deserved the score which took them to double figures. This duly came after another series of penalties gave them field position and one of their tight forwards crashed over. Vigo also frustrated some further chances for the Club to extend their lead, disrupting a promising maul and habitually causing chaos at the breakdown. The Buccs were not to be denied, however, and after a couple of scrums inside the Vigo 22 and carries from Lock and Oli Brewer, Fernandez found space and cantered through for his first try for the Club. Pierson slotted his fourth conversion of the afternoon to make the game safe at 38-12 with a handful of minutes on the clock. The effort across the entire squad in achieving this win has been commendable, but special congratulations go those who have joined the team this year, and those who play regularly for the Bandits.
Buccaneers manager Chris Young accepted the Kent Vets Shield on behalf of the team and has the thanks of the Men’s section leadership and players for his efforts this season. For any over 35s (or nearly over 35s) who are looking to join what is a very enjoyable team to play for within the Club, please get in touch.
Andy Lock
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