U8s V Brixham.

Game one

Kingswood started a little sleepy, conceding two tries, but started show their class with their first – Olivia and Ryan Cox made trademark runs through the middle to make ground on the attack, Finlay then took the charge before getting the ball back to Ryan C to score. Finlay then made a massive run of his own and, when he was tagged just short, Zain V was on hand to make sure of the point. Olivia and Ben then combined to move the ball to Olly who found the space for his first of the day, but the Knights then let their guard down and Brixham ran in two more uncontested tries before the whistle to see the score 7-3 to our hosts. Kingswood were up for it after the interval though. James set Olivia on her way, and there was no stopping her as she powered out wide right to score in the corner. Great defence from Kingswood, and solid line and harrying play saw Brixham into touch. With the ball in hand Olly was away, Brixham’s defence an afterthought behind him as the Knights started to reduce the deficit. Again, Kingswood turned over possession and the whole team were involved passing the ball across the pitch, working the Brixham defence and making the room for James to go over. More solid Knights defence won the ball yet again – James made a great run and, cutting inside, found Ben powering through in support off his shoulder and over for the try to level the game at 7-7. The Knights weren’t finished. Tag after tag after tag was taken, and the ref finally realised that seven tags should mean a turnover – what a clown! Kingswood had the ball again and there was big Finn, powering through to put the Knights ahead, and soon they were two up, Olly setting up Finn again. Five turnovers of possession, six unanswered tries. I don’t know where Merlin was, but suddenly these Knights were magic. Brixham finally registered their first score of the half, before Olivia and Finlay combined to set Olly away. Brixham managed one more, but that was it for this game, a massive second-half effort, an epic turnaround, the Knights victorious with the game ending 9-10.

Game two

The Knights got off on a more even keel in the second game of the morning, Will to Olivia, back to Will who then found Finlay and over. The Knights then moved the ball nicely wide, Finlay finding Jack and he was away and over. Kingswood were a bit sloppy in possession, but Ryan C stretched to scoop up a loose pass and then SMASHED forward, through to the line. Loves it. Kingswood were moving the ball well again, and this time Ben found Jack in space and he got through to the right corner. George and Ben combined to set Olly away, then Ryan C found Ben who changed the direction of his run to cut in behind the Brixham line and over. This was a much closer contest, and Brixham had matched Kingswood try for try, so when Olivia found Olly on the left wing for the final score that was the decider – 6-7 in this game and 15-17 overall.

Ryan Cox was our man of the tour with his regular quiet determination and crashing runs.

Another great match report by Nick Hackett.