| Date of birth | 19 April 1980 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||
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Gert De Kock (born 1980) is a retired South African rugby union player who played at Fly-half or Full-back. [1] A highly skilled player that could both kick points and score tries, he became one of the top try scorers in National League 2 South history, with 80 tries scored during his spells playing for Westcombe Park and Canterbury. [2]
In 2003-04 Gert had an outstanding debut season with Westcombe Park, scoring 19 tries in just 22 games to finish as top try scorer in a Park side that finished 9th in National Division 3 South. [3] A second season with the Orpington based side was not as successful for him with only 7 league tries but he did play a role in a successful Powergen Cup run which saw Westcombe Park reach the 5th round, ultimately losing to second division side, Otley, 16-45, away to the Yorkshire side. [4]
In the summer of 2005, after two seasons with Westcombe Park, Gert would drop a division to play for fellow Kent club, Canterbury and he got off to a good start as Canterbury claimed a league and cup double by first winning promotion from London Division 1 and then retaining the Kent Cup by beating Blackheath. [5] The 2006-07 season would be Canterbury's first ever in National Division 3 South but despite being a newly promoted side the club took it in their stride, finishing 4th in the final league standings, as well as winning the Kent Cup once more. [6] Gert, who had experience of the league from his time with Westcombe Park, struck up a good partnership with team-mate Michael Melford and the two players shared 36 tries between them, with Gert getting 20, resulting in him becoming the 4th most prolific try scorer in the division that season. 2007-08 would see Canterbury maintain their position in the division with another 4th-place finish. Gert also started to share kicking duties with team-mate, Sam Rasch, and scored 121 points that year, including 14 tries. The club would also claim their fourth successive Kent Cup at the end of the season. [7] 2008-09 would see Canterbury drop one position to 5th in the league standings with Gert becoming the main kicker at the club and ending up with a career best tally of 223 points for the season, making him the 3rd top points scorer in the division that year.[ citation needed ]
After a relatively uneventful 2009-10 in which Canterbury finished 7th, the 2010-11 season would be a difficult one for the club. Gert featured in almost every game that year but was unable to prevent the club sliding into the relegation zone. The relegation battle actually went down to the last game of the season when Gert's former team, Westcombe Park, came up to Merton Park for the sides rescheduled league fixture on 7 May 2011. Unfortunately for Canterbury, Westcombe Park got a couple of late tries to win the game by 25 points to 18. The result meant that Westcombe Park leap-frogged Canterbury to remain safe by just 1 point, while Canterbury would drop down to National League 3 London & SE. [8]
| Season | Club | Competition | Appearances | Tries | Drop Goals | Conversions | Penalties | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | Westcombe Park | National Division 3 South | 22 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 95 |
| 2004-05 | National Division 3 South | 20 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | |
| Powergen Cup | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
| 2005-06 | Canterbury | London Division 1 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| EDF Energy Trophy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2006-07 | National Division 3 South | 26 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
| EDF Energy Trophy | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2007-08 | National Division 3 South | 25 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 9 | 121 | |
| 2008-09 | National Division 3 South | 25 | 9 | 0 | 56 | 22 | 223 | |
| EDF Energy Trophy | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | ||
| 2009-10 | National League 2 South | 20 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 45 | |
| 2010-11 | National League 2 South | 28 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | |
Westcombe Park
Canterbury
The 2008–09 National Division One was the 22nd full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. Leeds Carnegie joined National Division One, having been relegated from the Guinness Premiership after the 2007–08 season. Otley and Manchester were promoted from the 2007–08 National Division Two.
The 2008-09 National Division Two was the ninth and final version of the third division of the English rugby union league system using the name National Division Two. The RFU was planning to introduced a new professionalized format of the second division for the 2009-10 season which would lead to widespread league changes throughout the English league system including National Two being renamed National One and being increased from the 14 teams to 16 teams – a decision they made halfway through the season. New teams to the division included Birmingham & Solihull and Launceston who were relegated from the 2007–08 National Division One while promoted teams included Tynedale coming up from the 2007–08 National Division Three North while Mounts Bay (champions) and Cinderford (playoffs) both from the 2007–08 National Division Three South.
The 2007–08 National Division Two was the eighth version of the third division of the English rugby union league system using the name National Division Two. New teams to the division included Waterloo and Otley who were relegated from the 2006–07 National Division One while promoted teams included Blaydon coming up from the 2006–07 National Division Three North while Southend (champions) and Westcombe Park (playoffs) came up from the 2006–07 National Division Three South.
The 2008–09 National Division Three South was the ninth and last season of the fourth division (south) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three South. The division was set to be re-branded National League 2 South for the following season due to an RFU reshuffle of the entire league system. New teams to the division included Henley Hawks who were relegated from the 2007–08 National Division Two while promoted teams included Richmond (champions) and Worthing Raiders (playoffs) from London Division 1, Chinnor who returned after an absence of just one year as champions of South West Division 1 and finally Rugby Lions who were transferred from the 2008–09 National Division Three North to ensure that there was not an imbalance of teams between the two regional leagues. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into what would be known as National League 1 from 2009-10 but unlike previous years, there would be no promotion playoff between the runners up of the division and the runners up of National Division Three North due to the league restructuring.
The 2006–07 National Division Three North was the seventh season of the fourth division (north) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three North. New teams to the division included Orrell who were relegated from the 2005–06 National Division Two while promoted teams included Rugby Lions who came up as champions of Midlands Division 1 as well as Morley (champions) and West Park St Helens who came up from North Division 1. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National Division Two while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National Division Three South for the final promotion place.
The 2013–14 National League 2 North was the fourth season of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National League 1 while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National League 2 South for the final promotion place.
The 2011–12 National League 2 South was the third season of the fourth tier (south) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National League 1 while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National League 2 North for the final promotion place.
The 2010–11 National League 2 South was the second season of the fourth tier of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National League 1 while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National League 2 North for the final promotion place.
The 2009–10 National League 2 South was the first season of the fourth tier (south) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. Previously known as National Division 3 South, it had been renamed due to widespread changes to the league system by the RFU with National One becoming the Championship, National 2 becoming National 1 and so on. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National League 1 while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National League 2 North for the final promotion place. A further change to the league system would see the division increase from 14 to 15 teams.
The 2003–04 National Division Three South was the fourth season of the fourth division (south) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three South. New teams to the division included Launceston who were relegated from the 2002–03 National Division Two while promoted clubs included Southend (champions) and Haywards Heath (playoffs) coming up from London Division 1 and Dings Crusaders as champions of South West Division 1. The league system was 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw with the league champions going straight up into National Division Two and the runners up playing a playoff against the runners up from National Division Three North for the final promotion place.
The 2004–05 National Division Three South was the fifth season of the fourth division (south) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three South. New teams to the division included Lydney who were relegated from 2003–04 National Division Two as well as Havant (champions) and Hertford (playoffs) who were promoted from London Division 1 while Reading came up as champions of South West Division 1. The season would also see the introduction of a new points system with 4 points being awarded for a win, 2 points being awarded for a draw with the addition of a bonus point being given for scoring 4 or more tries as well as a bonus point given if you manage to lose a game within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National Division Two while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National Division Three North for the final promotion place.
The 2005–06 National Division Three South was the sixth season of the fourth division (south) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three South. New teams to the division included Bracknell and Rosslyn Park who were relegated from 2004–05 National Division Two while Cambridge came up as champions of London Division 1 along with Cinderford (champions) and Bridgwater & Albion (playoffs) who were promoted from South West Division 1. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National Division Two while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National Division Three North for the final promotion place.
The 2006–07 National Division Three South was the seventh season of the fourth division (south) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three South. New teams to the division only included promoted teams from lower leagues including Canterbury who came up as champions of London Division 1, while Chinnor (champions) and Clifton (playoffs) came up from South West Division 1. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National Division Two while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National Division Three North for the final promotion place.
Phil Chesters is an English rugby union player who is currently playing for Chinnor in National League 1 having signed for the club for the 2017-18 season. Prior to that he had made his name at Ealing Trailfinders where he had also been part of the medical staff. His best position is winger and over his career he has proved to be a tremendous try scorer who has set multiple records in lower division English rugby with Ealing, notably all-time records of 42 tries in a season in tier 3 and an amazing 70 tries in a season in tier 4 – a record that is unlikely to ever be beaten. As of the end of the 2017-18 he has also become the National League 2 South all-time try scorer with 117 tries.
The 2016–17 National League 2 South was the eighth season of the fourth tier (south) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. New teams to the division include Henley Hawks and Cinderford while Exmouth (champions) and Barnstaple were promoted from National League 3 South West along with London Irish Wild Geese who won National League 3 London & SE. The league system is 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions are promoted to National League 1 while the second-placed team play-off against the second-placed team from National League 2 North for the final promotion place.
Derek Coates is an English rugby union player who played at Full back. He is known for his spells with Blackheath and Westcombe Park, where thanks to his prowess with the boot he became one of the most prolific points scorers in National League 2 South history with over 1,000 points spread between the two clubs, and was also one of the most consistent scorers averaging 12 points a game. Since he has retired from playing he has remained in the game as a coach.
Nat Saumi, real name Nacenieli, is a retired Fijian rugby union player who is currently a coach. A versatile back, Nat could play at fly-half, centre or full back. Despite having offers to play Premiership rugby, Nat spent his career in England playing for south-west clubs, most notably with Penzance & Newlyn and Plymouth, whom he also coached. An outstanding points scorer both in terms of kicking and tries, Nat became one of the most prolific points scorers of all-time in National League 2 South with over 700 points, including a divisional record of 374 points in a season, achieved in 2001 while playing for Penzance-Newlyn. As well as playing club rugby, Nat has also represented Fiji Sevens, Barbarians and Cornwall with whom he won the Bill Beaumont Cup back in 1999.
Michael Melford is a retired English rugby union player who plays as a winger. He has spent most of his semi-professional rugby career with Canterbury during the most successful spell of the clubs career to date, which included a spell as club captain. With over 90 tries for his club in National League 2 South alone, he has become one of the most prolific try scorers in the competition's history. He currently runs a personal training business in Chatham, Kent.
Andrew Baggett is an English rugby union footballer who plays at fly-half. Currently coach at Middlesbrough, Baggett is best known for his spells with Wharfedale and Blaydon where he became the National League 1 all-time top scorer with 1,707 points. As well as playing club rugby Baggett has represented Yorkshire and Durham in the County Championships, and was part of the Yorkshire squad that won the Bill Beaumont Cup in 2008.
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