The away fixture to hosts, Faversham, was an opportunity to put a marker down on the third placed side in the league.

The lead up to the game was instilling into the team the expectation is for forwards to start the attack from set piece and pod shape and movement, and also, connecting in defence to cover pitch width.

The selection has many young players and indeed was the smallest pack we ever had. Having only scraped a side together late Friday night, the boys put in a dogged performance in defence and execute a fast-paced and organised attack. However, injury struck before KO, with centre JJ Little injured during warm up. With Devs down to 15 players, with 5 mins in, the stand-in fly half, Justin Wadhams, encountered a reoccurring injury and had to leave the field. With 14 men, a swift rearrangement, the boys fronted up.

The first 30 mins, playing uphill, the Devs took the lead after being the better side, keeping Faversham to limited time in our 22. Tom Carney scoring a conversion just outside the opponent’s 22.. Wadhams returned to the field of play to make up the numbers but was visibly unable to run. Devs continued their dominance, scrummaging well against a much larger, and experienced, pack, losing only one against the head was the next best a coach to ask for. A scrum just in our half was won well, number 8, Tyler Quarrington, picked at the base and charged at the opposition. The ball retained well, ball passed through the hands to centre Ben Jones exploited the overlap to score under the post. Carney converted to make the score 0-10 to Devs.

Unfortunately, the Devs imploded with a number of silly penalties due inexperienced acts in the ruck and tackle, leading to a yellow card to MOTM, Kie Mabb. The resultant penalty was scored by several forward pick goes, to score under the post. Score 7-10 Devs. With numerical disadvantage, along with one injured player, the Devs could not hold out and conceded another try resulting from a penalty, 5 metres out. 14-10 Faversham at half-time.

The second half saw Faversham start to get back into the game. They took advantage of the numerical advantage and exploited the spaces to score more tries in the corners. Another infringement by lock Ryan Bray led to a penalty try for playing the ball on the floor preventing a try, further penalised Devs with a yellow card. Further injuries to Quarrington meant 13 men on the field whilst treatment was given. The icing on the cake was for the referee to award Mabb with a straight red card for dubious tip tackle. With basically 13 players, it was a mountain to climb.Faversham rained on more tries to win 50-10.

The team cannot be faulted for their desire and efforts to play as coached. Commendable performance by each and every player in the face of adversity, they stood up to be counted. The numerical disadvantage through injuries and the lack of a bench defeated the Devs. We count our wounded and we gather together and go again next week away to Old Wills.

MOTM: Kie Mabb