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Simon Appleby scores Hampshire's second try

Hampshire 37pts, Kent 0

HAMPSHIRE won through to next Saturday's final of the County Championship Plate with another resounding performance in the semi-final at Down Grange.

The win over Kent means that Hampshire have not conceded a single point while rattling up an impressive 199 points in their four matches in this year's competition.

They will be at home to Leicestershire in the final and the match will be played at Aldershot Military Stadium.

Hampshire pressed from the start and a Chris Ashwin penalty narrowly missed the target, while former 'Stoke player Simon Humberstone's darting break into the Kent 22 was halted by an illegal push on the supporting Simon Appleby after four minutes.

Kent, who had 10 players from the national divisions, made life difficult for Hampshire during the next 20 minutes but a combination of resolute defence and errors from the visitors kept Hampshire in the game.

Another Basingstoke player, Simon Buckland, broke the deadlock on 25 minutes, finishing off good work by both the forwards and backs.

Hampshire moved further ahead on 29 minutes and it was again a 'Stoke player who scored. With men to spare, Appleby had the space to score under the posts. Ashwin's conversion made it 12-0.

Three minutes later, further pressure resulted in Ashwin adding a further three points after Kent were penalised for handling on the ground.

Kent rallied and finished the half on top, but the Hampshire defence again held firm.

From the restart, Hampshire got an early score through 'Stoke captain Neil Young on 42 minutes. Humberstone found touch and from the lineout, the forwards kept the ball tight and recycled it several times before Young saw the gap on the blindside to claim a 22-0 advantage.

Hampshire extended their lead on 51 minutes when wing Richard Buck sliced through the cover to score by the posts. Ashwin adding the extra points for a 27-0 lead.

With both sides making changes, the game lost a bit of direction before Ashwin added another penalty on 66 minutes.

The final score came on 79 minutes when Russell Osman was on hand to finish off several good handling moves. Ashwin added the conversion with a splendid kick from the touchline.

While Hampshire were tested, particularly in the first 25 minutes, they were clearly the better team on the day. Once they settled they began to get quick ball in the loose, took advantage of their lineout possession and generally controlled the game.

Afterwards, coach Jason Ford said: "That was very pleasing and a good semi-final to win. Next week will be another step up and we all have to front up if we are to win."

Hampshire: C Ashwin; R Buck, S Buckland, R Osman, W Duggan (rep R Searle); S Humberstone (rep A Byett), G Morris (rep A Ashwin); N Young, M Paniora, T Wells (rep K Osborne), S McKechnie (capt), R Forster, H Heasman, S Appleby, D Raubenheimer (rep L Richardson).

11:27am Monday 19th May 2008

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