Under 16s Match Report Sunday 26th September

Under 16s Match Report Sunday 25th September 2010
Kesteven 27 – 12 Newark

A determined Kesteven squad welcomed local rivals Newark to Woodnook on a cool and, later on, drizzly day. Ks, although missing several key players to injury, evinced an almost palpable determination before the game.

A capacity crowd lined the touchline as Ks received the kick off. From the first tackle it was clear that both teams were determined to give no quarter. A well drilled Newark side started more strongly with the wind, and kept Ks under pressure, leading to their first try as their no. 8 picked up from a scrum inside the Ks 22.

The try was converted and despite making a number of breaks, Ks were contained and conceded a second try to a jinking run by Newark’s fly-half which, although scored under the posts, was not converted.

Having now established their traditional two-try deficit, Ks came alive and began to swing the pressure the other way. The breakthrough came from a run down the right wing by captain Kieran Taylor, finishing with a pass to centre Cam Hudson who obliged with the try.

A bad mistake by Newark at the restart saw Taylor gather the kick and make a break from just outside Ks’ 22 to score again immediately, beating the chase from three Newark players on the way. Unconverted this took the score to 10-12 where it remained until half time.

Playing with the wind in the second half, Kesteven grew in confidence and quickly overhauled Newark with another try from Taylor, under the posts but not converted. Repeated gains by Ks forwards saw the ball moved out to the backs into space and this led to the fourth try, this time from centre Joe Berry, yety again unconverted, taking the score to 20 – 12.

Now a converted try clear, Ks did not ease off but kept coming; Newark defended well, shutting down several Kesteven opportunities, and came close to a third try from a penalty well inside Ks’ half, but knocked on under pressure from Ks defence.

The icing on the cake, Ks’ fifth try, came from Cam Hudson; after a break of 30 metres, Cam chased down a well-placed chip kick and Newark’s defenders, under pressure, allowed him to fall on the ball taking the score to 25 – 12; fly-half Matt Cumming converted this, putting the game comfortably beyond Newark’s reach at 27 – 12.

A satisfying win against traditionally strong opposition, Kesteven can now take this victory and build on it for the season to come.

Special mention to Myles Bell for stepping in at hooker, and to back rowers Oli Shipston-Sharman, Cam Gabriel and Tom West for sterling tackling work throughout.

Kesteven squad: George Sisson, Myles Bell, Liam Barnard, Charlie Avison, Kyle Fischer, Oli Shipston-Sharman, Tom West, Cameron Gabriel, Alex King, Tom Wood, Conor Mc Cann, Joe Berry, Cameron Hudson, Kieran Taylor (capt), Ciro Johnston, Conor Morrissey, Evan Rees, Ed Chappell, Matt Cocks, Matt Cumming, Will Lewis, Sam Briggs.