OLD Colfeians held out for victory in the replay of the Kent Cup semi-final at Charlton Park on Sunday.

It was the third time the sides had played each other this season and it was always going to be a cagey game after the 23-23 scoreline last time.

"Both sides had the measure of each other and had worked out how to defend against each other without varying their own play," said OCs' sponsorship secretary Clive Reffell after the game.

However OCs' front three excelled in blustery conditions and the pack, although lighter, usually got the nudge.

The visitors also denied Park any decent line-out ball and all the scores were from penalties, Simon Groves outsteadying his counterpart Torban Williams.

The result gives OCs an automatic place in next year's Tetley's Bitter Cup. Reffell said this was an excellent result in itself. "For our level, it's a bit like one of the non-league teams making the third round of the FA Cup," he said.

OCs play Westcombe Park in the final of the Kent Cup at Gravesend RFC on May 3. Westcombe defeated Thanet in their semi-final and are on something of a roll.

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