Kingswood U8s v Aretians

A last minute try from Drew Lewis secured victory for the knights over Aretians in a dramatic finish to an otherwise chilly and windswept game.

Both sides had split into two teams, each of which would play 2 games, and after the first round Kingswood found themselves two points up thanks to some incredible tries from Oliver Gabriel and Callum Ball.

Despite some impressive defensive work from Liam Hibbs and debutant Mackenzie Mills, Aretians clawed their way back to within a point before Drew made it safe.

Kingswood, who have now won their last four matches, were displaying some fantastic running skills throughout the match and it was only some frozen hands being unable to keep hold of the ball that prevented Kingswood from extending their lead beyond the reach of Aretians.

They had started strongly, with some great use of the available space playing to the strengths of Kingswood’s naturally more agile players with Joe Howard, Charlie Cooke and Joseph Sheridan all having great success in finding (or making) gaps in the opposition defence.

Aretians possessed similarly minded players but some great tagging from Libby Galloway and Mason Howells ensured that Kingswood remained on top going into the half-way point.

After this, things began to get a little more physical. Aretians began to use their size and strength to batter their way through Kingswood, with plenty of success. With no offences being called by the referee, Kingswood soon found themselves beginning to struggle as the Aretians scoreline ticked ever closer.

As ever in matches as close as this, victory often hinges on one or two moments of brilliance or luck. Thankfully for Kingswood, they all worked out in their favour. When one looping pass from Aretians was spilled, Jacob McConville was first to react, diving to the floor and collecting it before offloading to the waiting Blue and Poo players. The ball was spread wide to the waiting Callum Ball who outpaced the drifting defence and touched down in the corner.

Not long after, Charlie Cooke dazzled with a stupendous solo run down the touchline, brushing off three attempted tags and moving Kingswood back ahead overall.

The final moments saw Kingswood defending hard against a whippet-like Aretians attack. Once again though, a fumbled catch saw the ball on the floor and Kingswood reacted first. Deep in his own half, Joshua Pharo collected the ball and set off. Tagged just before half way, he offloaded quickly to Kira Brown who continued the counter move to the increasing shouts of encouragement from the try line. Despite being tagged about 10 meters short of the try line, she managed to send her pass out to the chasing Drew Lewis who neatly side stepped the last defender and scored the final try of the game.

A close victory that could easily have gone either way, but amazing endurance shown by the Kingswood players in what felt like Arctic conditions.

Player of the Match went to Kira Brown and Charlie Cooke, both of whom had a superb match.