Oakwood Park Grammar School’s under-15 rugby team won the Kent Shield after a big act of sportsmanship helped them reach the final.

The Maidstone school beat Tunbridge Wells-based Bennett Memorial 43-0 in the final at Gravesend Rugby Club on Wednesday night.

But it wouldn't have been possible without an "amazing gesture" from semi-final opponents Dover Grammar School.

Their last-four tie ended 17-17 after Oakwood missed a last-gasp conversion.

Dover, as the away team, were entitled to go through under competition rules in the event of a draw.

But Dover coach Martyn Beaumont offered extra-time and Oakwood went on to win 31-17 with a converted try in either period.

There were two tries each for Woody Hall and George Rhodes and one from Kester Jones, while Ben Taylor added three conversions.

“Technically, Dover should have gone through but Martyn was adamant the game should be put in the boys’ hands,” said Oakwood PE teacher and coach Matt Keeling-Jones.

“We agreed five minutes each way of extra-time to give the boys an opportunity to win the game, them or us.

“It was an amazing gesture to give us an opportunity to win the game, rather than Dover going through on a technicality.

“We were really grateful, and we thanked the Dover boys and Martyn before extra-time even started.

“It was a fantastic show of sportsmanship and what sport should be about.

“I’ve seen it before on tour in South Africa, where the captains have decided to play on, but never in a school game.

“It was a fantastic game, played in great spirit. The strategies used were superb for that age group. It bodes well.”

Rhodes scored a hat-trick of tries as Oakwood beat Bennett Memorial under floodlights in the final.

There were two tries for Levi Smith and one apiece for Hall and Jones.

Taylor added three conversions as Oakwood claimed only the second Kent Schools Rugby trophy in their history. The first was the Under-14 Shield in 2018.

"It was a great night, well-supported by parents and staff, along with some of our 1st XV players," said Keeling-Jones.

"While the scoreline reads as it does, Bennett were a tough opposition and it was a great final."

Oakwood squad: Will Aldrich, Felix Barber, Josh Bruce, Stanley Cook, Josiah Edada, Logan Evans, Woody Hall, Find Holmes, Jacob Johnson, Kester Jones, Josh Klein, Harvey Lowe, George Rhodes, Levi Smith, Sonny Smith, Ben Taylor, Ryan Ward, Ryan Wilson, Aiden Woakes, Leyton Williams, Ben Morris.