Drawing into the end of 2022/23 season and what a great season it’s been for the U12’s Knights Rugby team but festivals (tournaments) haven’t been our strong point as we headed for a few days fun and relaxation in Ilfracombe followed by two matches against Bideford and Exeter Athletic. After a few drinks in the bar and Nicola being charged and found guilty in Kangeroo Court for her failure to count the number of players at the St Brendan’s festival. Her penalty was having to be a referee all weekend where on the hour every hour she had to blow her whistle and count to twelve to show everyone she can really count, which she did with great gusto and a smile on her face – well done!

On the Saturday, the weather was beautiful and we all headed to Woolacombe for a Saturday beach camp which involved swimming in the sea, sand dune jumping, eating pasties and the team vs parents, where we drew in a hotly contested rounders match. It was great to be joined by Ian showing of his Cornish knees in the sunshine. After a fancy dress extravaganza which saw from bumble bees and Beetlejuice, beauty and the beast, burlesque dancers, bananas in pyjama’s, Bear Grylls to host of basketball players everyone looked fresh faced on Sunday morning arriving with visors to the ready at Bideford Rugby Club. Judge Jim Hacker the Third had vacated his courtroom and helped the boys warm up which we hoped was a good omen.

Exeter Athletic – 50 vs Kingswood Knights – 10

Our first game was Exeter Athletic who had just demolished a decent Bideford squad in a fast moving game. Knights started brightly and the first half was one of the best team performances I have seen the team put together but this really was a game of two halves. Harry, and Jack started well leading the attack and Jack taking on the role of captain leading from the front. Then there was great interplay between Wilf, Jack, Yoshi, Harry and Charlie, which led to Jayden charging through for a try!

Then Exeter pushed forward but William, Harry and Lucan made a couple of awesome tackles. Charlie made a couple of brilliant break throughs through Exeter’s defensive line but met good defensive tackles in return. Then Exeter broke through our defensive line twice to score two quick consecutive tries. To their credit Knights heads didn’t go down and they pressed forward through four phases of play. The ball must have been through every players hands at least twice before Jayden went over the line for what I can only say was an awesome team try and some of the best rugby I’ve seen the lads play. The game was evenly poised at 10 all before going into the second half.
Now I don’t know what happened to the team but the second half a completely different Knights team came out to play. They stood watching the ball, stood off the tackles, didn’t support each other, there was no one tacking a leadership role and they let Exeter dominate them and play their own game. Exeter ran in try and after try and heads quickly went down hoping for the final whistle to come which eventually it did. It was a bitterly disappointing second half after such a promising start.

Jayden – 2

Bideford – 15 vs Kingswood Knights – 20

Credit where credit is due the Kingswood team put the previous game behind them to take on an awkward Bideford team. This was a gritty match with tempers flaring both on the pitch and on the side lines as the passionate parents got very animated and vocal at various points in the match. Kingswood started this game a lot more aggressive with great tackling from Yoshi, Charlie, George, Josh and Samoree to mention a few. Jayden was seen charging down the wing with his shorts almost around his ankles at one point in the first half. Kingswood pressed and harried Bideford, there was great offloading by Wilf and Charlie capitalised with a great try. Then Charlie was leading the charge again and Yoshi was doing some excellent sidestepping offloading to Jayden for another try. Then Bideford pressed the Knights defence and Lucan made a great tackle saving try on the right wing. But Bideford kept up the pressure and scored a try just before half time.

Second half kicked off and Bideford scored again making the game all square. Then Kingswood were under pressure and showed real will and determination to win the game. Riley, William and Yoshi making really important tackles in defence. George was injured and had to come off, Jayden didn’t just show his attacking ability but made three crunching tackles in a row and then passing between Jack to Charlie to Yoshi saw Yoshi run round the Bideford defence for a try. But Bideford were not having any of it and pushed on to score another try. Then Bideford piled on the pressure to try and win the game. William and Yoshi held up their player on our try line to prevent a winning try. Jack and Lucan made vital tackles and Samoree was getting stuck into the fray and then Wilf was injured and had to go off. Then William was injured and Wilf, brave as always was back on the pitch. We were now in the dying minutes of the match and Jayden broke Bideford’s defensive line and went over for the winning try!! Well done boys, that was a tough, niggly game but you came out on top with your never say die spirit. Also, it was great to get a win at a tournament!!

Charlie – 1

Jayden – 2

Yoshi - 1

We all missed not having Oli able to join us from the coaching team and hope both he and Ian are feeling better and will be able to join the team for the Cheddar Festival. A special mention goes to Charlie with was voted as u12's tourist of the tour for his great performance both in attacking and defence. You’ve been a great addition to the team Charlie, the lads enjoy your company both on and off the field and you bring an extra dimension to the Knights team – well done….

Jack – Captain both matches