Kent 10 East Midlands 23

KENT'S hopes of a Championship Plate semi-final place vanished with a poor performance against an East Midlands side which paid greater attention to the basics and was far better disciplined.

Although the visitors came away from Canterbury with a deserved victory, both teams were left frustrated when Eastern Counties' overwhelming win over Berkshire ensured they finished top of Group Three.

A promising start saw young fly-half Tom Best touchdown to give Kent the lead.

But the advantage didn't last long and some poor Kent tackling was largely to blame for their downfall.

Kent: F.Neale (Blackheath), M.Ryan (Maidstone), S.Wardingley (Blackheath) repl T.Ash (Thanet Wanderers), J.Farmer (Tonbridge Juddians) repl G.Gray (Gravesend), M.O'Donnell (Deal & Betteshanger), T.Best (Deal & Betteshanger), N.Woodbridge (Canterbury) repl L. Harding (Sevenoaks), B.McKinnell (Westcombe Park) repl J.Forsyth (Canterbury), M.Ford (Canterbury) repl T.Rogers (Maidstone), M.Pinnick (Canterbury) repl J.Stanford (Blackheath), R.Keir (Canterbury), B.Smith (Canterbury), C.Hinkins (Canterbury) repl R.Hussey (Canterbury), J.Lindfield (Westcombe Park), T.Carroll (Tonbridge Juddians).