Kingswood Knights U13 vs Imperial RFC U13s

After a difficult first game to the season with a defeat to well organised St Brendans Team, the Knights were looking to bounce back as they took on local rivals Imperial. Before the game, we knew they were short on team members and during the match, Jayden, Wilf, Rylee K and Harry stepped up and played for Imperial so a massive thank-you to them for making up the numbers so Knights could get a match.
William was unable to play nursing an injury from the last game and everyone wishes him a speedy recovery. It was great to see newcomers Thomas and Christian warming up with the team and we look forward to you playing a game soon while we also look forward to Joshua, Lucan and Samoree being available to play. It's really great to see the team growing with new members coming on board. Having a positive team culture and player availability for matches will only add to a strong season for this developing Knights team.
So, what happened in the first half? It was mediocre at best by a Knights team who were half asleep or still thinking it was Saturday. Missed passes, tackles and catches stopped any momentum being built up. The ball from the kickoff was often dropped and no one called it for time and again. Knights put pressure on themselves with knock-ons and Imperial took advantage. One good passage of play saw Wilf pass it down the line to Yoshi and then on to Rocco who drew the defence and passed to Riley M who ran in for a try. Jayden playing for Imperial also ran in a try and the first quarter finished Knights – 5 Imperial – 15.

The 2nd quarter was more of the same but a few more tries were scored by Knights. Harry played a good quarter and passed it to Rylee K who took on two defenders and offloaded to Jayden for a try. Charlie did a great rip of the ball while man-handling an Imps player and the ball came out along the line for Jayden to run in another try. Yoshi took a quick tap penalty and broke through Imps defensive line with an offload to Riley M who passed to Jayden when tackled for a good try. But each time Imps came back into the game and scored from unforced errors made by the Knights team. Half-time Knights – 20 Imperial – 30. The lads knew they were better than this performance.
At half time the coaches worked their magic with their team talk and oranges because the second half presented a much-improved Kingswood team as they cranked up the gears and showed much more intensity to their game. Theo, Wilf, Rocco, Jack and George put in some really good tackles. From the opening play Jayden got the ball and with his lightning feet skipped past two defenders to score a great individual try. Jack did an amazing break through the defensive line but was tackled before he could make the try line and Harry also came bursting through their defensive line to get tackled before being able to score a try. The team were starting to compete in the game. Some nice interplay between Yoshi and George saw Wilf run in for a try. While Imps came back with a try of their own, keeping them in the lead. Knights – 30 Imperial – 35

It all came together in the final quarter seeing Knights score four decisive tries. Rylee K led the charge with a driving run, offload to Theo, pass to Charlie, and offload to Jayden who scored a great team try. Then Yoshi passes to Rocco and does a looping run so Rocco passes back to Yoshi creating the space for Riley M to score. So now the Knights have their heads up and you can tell they have grown in confidence so they pressure Imps straight away from the Kick, they recycle the ball and Rocco passes to Jack who drives himself over the line for a try. Then Yoshi kicks off the ball, Imps are tiered and are just watching and the ball bounces in the field into the arms of Wilf who runs in for another try. Now that is the Knights their parents have dragged themselves out of bed to watch. Well done lads, you turned the game around from a poor start but looking forward to next week and the game against Harlequins you need to start with this intensity to your game! You know you can do it.
A couple of worthy mentions: Charlie made a couple of really good rips in the game, changing our defence into attack. Wilf, you were captain and led on the field consistently putting in strong tackle after tackle even when he was playing for Imps (Why?? Lol) and deservedly got tackler of the match. Lads you all need to tackle like Wilf and when you are captain you need to lead from the front, he set a really good example. And finally, six tries Jayden (five for Knights) – he’s big and strong but he also can see space, moves quickly offloads the ball really well and also for some reason plays really well for the other team (Why?? Lol) – well done Jayden you are totally man of the match!!

Try Scorers:
Riley M – 2
Jayden – 5
Wilf -2
Jack - 1
Knights Team: Riley M, Rylee K, Theo, Yoshi, Wilf, Rocco, Jayden, Harry, Jack, Charlie and George
Captain - Wilf