By Graham Cox

Six tries to one was the final tally as Kent beat Somerset with another excellent display at Medway RFC’s Priestfields to make it two wins from two in Bill Beaumont County Championship Division 1 South.

They remain on track for a Twickenham final on May 28 after their 43-7 win - a statement of intent considering Somerset had pushed South Pool favourites Cornwall all the way 28-19 at Redruth the previous Saturday.

Kent proved strong in attack and defence, although the hosts did need to defend for significant periods despite the lop-sided look of the final scoreline.

They did so resolutely by means of a dominant scrum, turnover ball, and one magnificent moment when, reduced to 14-men early in the second period, Harvey Furneaux ripped possession. It was also the Canterbury open-side who electrified Kent’s first attack, and created the first score.

Having been under pressure for the first 10 minutes, the home county countered by sweeping play side to side, and as Furneaux pierced the defence, and found a beautiful off-load to Medway’s Alfie Orris, the wing popped the ball up for Jacob Buckley to cross for a converted try.

If there was one blemish on the Kent performance it was the penalty count - 11 in the first period - and as the hosts were temporarily reduced in number for a deliberate knock-on, Somerset kicked to touch and Taunton No.8 Michael Owen picked and touched down, Jamie Elswood, one of nine Hornets players in the visitors’ squad, converting to level at 7-7.

In contrast, Somerset’s first infringement took 20 minutes, but was turned into three points by Sam Evans, who missed nothing all afternoon, and was soon converting Kent’s second try. Orris broke from halfway and, with KK Orelaji in support and a kind deflection from an opposition defender, sprinted under the uprights.

With their scrum growing in dominance, and winning penalties, Kent kicked for touch, before Ryan Jackson peeled open from the drive to crash over to give the hosts a 24-7 lead at the break.

A high tackle was responsible for Kent’s second yellow card soon after the restart, but even reduced to seven in the pack the home side remained on top at the scrum, as they withstood another period of Somerset pressure.

With the shackles lifted though, Kent once again found continuity and momentum, and with second-rows Tom Stradwick and Rafael Dutta making ground, Matt Harrison crossed for the bonus-point try just before the hour-mark.

Orris, who had an outstanding game on his home soil, made a weaving run before he kicked towards the left corner, giving Kent the field position from which George Daly eventually burrowed beneath the uprights.

Then, in the final play of the match, and as a penalty landed in touch, the Kent pack drove forward and Canterbury’s Billy Young touched down to complete a comprehensive victory.

Kent now lead the four-county South Pool by a single point over Cornwall, who claimed a last-gasp 24-20 win against Hampshire at Havant to set up what is effectively a Semi-Final between the two top sides at Camborne on Saturday (2pm), though Kent have the minor advantage of knowing a draw will be enough take them to Twickers.