U8s v St Marys Home

The Knights welcomed St. Mary's Old Boys for the first game of 2016 on a bitterly cold morning at the Big K.

In Game 1, Olly, Ben, Zane C, Alfred, Finlay and Olivia lined up for Kingswood. St Mary's started proceedings and opened the scoring before some really good work from Finlay, seizing on a loose ball, released Ben for the Knight's first score. Olivia was in for tries two and three with strong runs after good work in play from Alfred, Zane C and Ben. Kingswood lost possession and worked hard to regain the ball, Alfred, Zane and Finlay making sure they got tags and eventually pushing St.Marys into touch. Ben and Alfred then set-up Zane C, and then Olly was over. Kingswood worked hard in defence, Zane C again making good tags, but couldn't stop St Marys final try, and the visitors lead at the interval 5-6.

Cameron, Amelia, Jacob, Jack F, Ryan and Zane V ran out for the second half. Cameron had obviously warmed-up well, as within minutes he had registered three tries for the Knights, with some fine runs and support play after Jacob had made a good run. In the meantime Jack F was doing some solid defensive work, grabbing a bunch of St Mary's tags. Ryan K came on for a run out, just before Zane V got himself on the scoresheet. Cameron was then involved again, making a great pass to send Jack F over and then making some good ground, as did Amelia, to set up the next try for Zane V. Ryan C and Ryan K then combined for the final try of the game, levelling things up at 12-12.

For the second game of the morning Olivia, Finlay, Lily, Olly, Alfred and Jack F came back into the fray. Finlay and Lily started positively making good runs into St Mary's territory allowing Alfred to find a gap and nab try one. Jack then made a great run, finding Olly in close support for the try. After tries in the first game, Olivia turned provider, first making a cracking pass to set Finlay away for a try, and then making a blistering run and getting the ball to Olly when held up, the wee man graciously acknowledging the assist. Good defensive work from the team saw a turn-over and the Knights made the best of it with Olivia and Finlay moving the ball forward and Alfred grabbing the point. Jack then found Ollie who made a super run, cutting in central from the left and over the line like a bullet. 7-6 at half-time.

Cameron, Jacob, Ryan K, Ryan C, Amelia and Zane V took the field to take the game home for the Blue and Browns. Ryan K registered try one, quickly followed by Ryan C who bagged three on the spin with typical strong runs, the third in particular was first class. Amelia then made some excellent ground with the ball in hand, finding Ryan K, who then moved the ball to Zane V for the Knight's closing try, ending the game 12-11 winners, 24-23 overall.

Man of the match was presented to Cameron Stacey. Outstanding performance and his best game of the season.

Report by Nick Hackett