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Gravesend Dynamite beat Sheffield Eagles 88-8 in Final to win Rugby Football League Challenge Trophy for fourth consecutive time

Gravesend Dynamite are celebrating another national trophy.

Dynamite cruised past Sheffield Eagles in last Sunday’s Rugby Football League (RFL) Challenge Trophy Final at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield to claim the title for a fourth successive time.

Gravesend Dynamite founder Jason Owen lifts the Rugby Football League Challenge Trophy. Picture: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com
Gravesend Dynamite founder Jason Owen lifts the Rugby Football League Challenge Trophy. Picture: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com

It comes as they celebrate the 10th year since the Gravesend club was formed by coach Jason Owen.

“It was a busy weekend,” he reflected. “It’s a bit of a journey up to Sheffield, but it’s worth the early-morning start.

“There was a great crowd actually, we were really pleased about that.

“We were pleased we played Sheffield Eagles because they have a one-club philosophy and there were plenty of people there, supporting them.

“For a Challenge Trophy Final, I’ve never seen so many people in the hall.

Sheffield Eagles' David Butler up against a Gravesend Dynamites player. Picture: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com
Sheffield Eagles' David Butler up against a Gravesend Dynamites player. Picture: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com

“It was very well-organised by the RFL.”

After a relatively even start, Dynamite were 44-4 ahead by half-time and ended up winning handsomely.

“It was a big 88-8 win,” said Owen. “It was well deserved.

“I think we were, by far, the better team but they made us work hard for it. Our experience and our pace throughout the game really made a difference.

“We have some fast players on the wings and they were creating chances for themselves. But it’s commendable that they kept going right until the end.

Gravesend Dynamite's Max Owen, the son of Jason Owen, voted as the player-of-the-match, celebrates with the trophy. Picture: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com
Gravesend Dynamite's Max Owen, the son of Jason Owen, voted as the player-of-the-match, celebrates with the trophy. Picture: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com

“I’ve never had a game before where it was exactly 44-4 in both halves!”

Max Owen, Jason’s son, claimed six tries and was chosen by television commentators as player-of-the-match.

His dad said: “I didn’t vote for him as player-of-the-game but I was thrilled when I heard it.”

Dynamite were even supported by unavailable players who made the trip to support their team-mates.

Owen explained: “We had a few come up that couldn’t play because they’re cup-tied. But they came all the way from Gravesend to Sheffield just to watch and did jobs like bringing the cones out and that sort of stuff.

“That helps show how much the sport means to people.”

Owen has seen the sport go from strength-to-strength and is delighted with how inclusive it is. It can be played by those with physical and learning disabilities, as well as people who aren’t disabled.

He added: “When everyone is in wheelchairs, no one knows who is disabled and who isn’t, which is one of the great things about how inclusive the sport is.”

Gravesend Dynamite squad: Jason Owen, Tony White, Max Owen, Euan Huckle, Mike Grant, Nicole Benjamin, Harry Pursey.

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