Kingswood U8s v Walcot

Kingswood tasted defeat for the first time in a friendly this season as Walcot capitalised on the knights' handling mistakes.

The Knights had started strongly, with Kingswood managing to turn over the ball following an impressive defensive display in the very first play of the match. Some outstanding tagging from Liam Jones and Sam Press ensured that Kingswood recovered the ball just 5 meters from their own try line. Moving the ball quickly through the phases, the Knights steadily moved up the pitch before a well timed pass from Liam Hibbs set Callum ball for a try in the corner.

Things got better for kingswood as Walcot knocked on from the restart, handing possession straight back. A quick pass out wide from Callum to Charlie Cooke resulted in a 20 meter sprint down the touchline, with Charlie touching down at the head of a beeline of Walcot players.

Walcot managed to eventually score following some further great defence, but Kingswood were on top. At every restart, Kingwood were gaining ground, with Caspian Broome proving particularly effective at taking the ball at pace, getting in behind the defenders and then offloading to the supporting players.

With further tries coming from both Callum Ball and Charlie Cooke, Kingswood were looking good for victory as the clock ticked down to the end of the match. It wasn't quite over however, as Kingswood found themselves deep in their own half with the ball.

Some great handling skills saw Sam Press released, running up to half way. The ball was recycled, and eventually found its way to Liam Hibbs who managed to make it up to the five meter line before being tagged. Charlie Cooke collected the ball for the free pass as the Walcot defenders lined up across the try line. With most of the defenders formed up to his right, Charlie threw his pass left; straight into the path of Caspian Broome, who neatly stepped inside three defenders to touch down and finish the first game.

Kingswood 8 v 5 Walcot

Flush following victory in the first game, Kingswood turned up for the second expecting more of the same. Unfortunately it was not to be. The ball was now covered with mud, and seemed to prove difficult for Kingswood to hold on to. Despite some wonderful vision being displayed, the Knights handling skills began to let them down. Some fine passes out wide from Libby Galloway and Vinnie bush would usually have resulted in tries, but were unable to be collected from the recipients.

The pitches had also appeared to have grown smaller, as Kingswood found themselves ushered into touch following some wonderful play. More than once, Joseph Sheridan and Aaron Bratchel broke through the Walcot lines, only to find their hard work undone by a foot being put out of touch a couple of phases later.

Still, Kingswood weren't giving up, and some particularly fine tries kept them in the game. A great run by Anna Kirkham found Kingswood in the middle of the field. A quickly taken pass to Jacob Gerrard saw him in behind the defenders and whilst he didn't have the pace to make it to the try line, he did have the vision to see Joshua Pharo on his shoulder. A quick pop pass and a lovely step inside saw Josh diving over the line.

Despite other equally good tries from Drew Lewis, Fraser Cox and Joseph Sheridan, it was not to be, as Walcot cut out the errors that they displayed in the first game and punished Kingswood whenever they made a mistake.

Kingswood 4 v Walcot 9

Overall, a great match with the two sides well matched. The knights can be proud of their overall performance, knowing that only the smallest of margins separated the teams.

Man of the match went to Caspian Broome for a tremendous performance, both in defence and attack.