U8s Vs Old Reds Home

The Knights welcomed ‘Old Reds’ to the big K for our first home encounter of the season, on a chilly morning. Our guests looked dead smart in their red and black hoops, and when the call came for us to lend them a player Sadie-May was the obvious choice, as she was already resplendent in a red jersey!

Game 1

Good defence from the off by Jack Fisher won Kingswood the ball. From the pass-out, Finlay made a fine incursion into Reds territory and found Ollie for the day’s first try. Kingswood defended well but couldn’t prevent a Reds’ response. A good passing move then saw Jack F over, and a great run from him set up the next, with Olivia also involved to set-up Finlay. Olivia also did some solid defensive work, before another strong run from Finlay was stopped just short, but Will was paying close attention and made sure of the point for the Knights. Lily came on to the field to make her home debut, joined by Ryan Kellaway, and he was straight into the action, passing to Ollie, who then fed Olivia for the last score of the half – Kingswood changing ends with a 5-4 advantage.

The lead was soon stretched after the re-start, Finlay again playing provider for Ollie who went on a mazy, jinking run through the Reds’ defence. He was soon in again, this time set-up by Amelia after a strong run through the middle from her. Cameron and George did some great tagging and forced the visitors out of play to win possession for the Knights. Jacob came into the action from the bench just in time to see a fantastic run from Jack, and then the perfect pass from him to Ollie to take the lead to three points. Ollie was then in twice again, putting his pace to great use. The Reds weren’t lying down though, with one particular player standing out for them – and Sadie-May made a wonderful long pass, taking the Kingswood defence out of the game, for a reds score to keep them in it. But Kingswood would hold on for the win, with further tries from Finlay and Olivia seeing the final score at 12-10.

Game2

The Reds started with the ball in their hands, but not for long as Ben and James harried them into touch. Alfred then made a cracking run down the left, finding James in close support, who in turn found Ben for the try. Ryan Cox was clearly upset at not being involved, and so parted a Reds’ sea to score a try of his very own courtesy of an offload pass from Zane Vickery. Ben was then in again, steaming over in the right hand corner. Ethan made a fantastic run and, when held-up just short, Charlie was in close support to score. Kingswood really got their passing going for the next try, Ben eventually going over after some lovely play from the Knights. Louis, just on as a sub, didn’t take long to get involved, and fed Charlie, who then fed Ethan for the last try of the half – 6-4 to the ‘Wood.

Possession would change hands several times at the start of the second half. James did great work to grab a loose ball, but was pushed into touch before he could reach the try-line after a breakaway. Lily then did good work to snaffle another loose ball, but again Kingswood were pushed into touch. Old Reds were then almost over, but it wasn’t to be, with the ball grounded before the try line. Teya came on for her debut in the famous blue and brown, and did the Knights proud with her enthusiasm, getting straight into the action. Ben then made a huge run, well tracked by James for the score. Ben was then in himself, after another good run, and then James again soon after. Zane Chick refused to let any Reds player get past home with their tags intact. Finally, at the death, Reds thought they had another but had again put the ball down too early! Ben seized the opportunity, and ran from end to end for the final try of the day, and a 10-6 win for Kingswood.

So a 22-16 win overall, against a well drilled side with a good passing game. And their player of the day, was our player of the day – well done to Sadie-May for a top class performance, and indeed to all our new players, who all played a part in a good result.

Match report credited to Nick Hackett.