It was a proper chilly morning at the big K, but a good turnout as usual from the young Knights. The under-9's would be splitting into two teams from now on, Blues and Browns.

The Blues were first to take to the pitch: Ryan C, Olly, Olivia T, Ryan K, Zane V, Will, Alfred and Ethan L. They started on the back foot but persistent, consistent defence frustrated Avonvale, and they couldn't find a way to the try line. Eventually the Knights forced a mistake and got the ball in hand. Olly moved the Knights up field, and then Will got us to the halfway line. Alfred did well to pounce on a stray pass and tried to move the Knights even further on, but was pushed into touch. Ethan L led some more good defence, but couldn't prevent the visitors scoring first. Zane V made a good run, the Knights then moving the ball out right; Olly cut in, making good ground, and finding Will with the offload who made for the line, and was unfortunate to lose the ball forward. Olly, Ethan L and Alfred put in the hard work in the defensive line, holding firm and forcing a turnover. Olivia T did well to keep hold of a wayward pass, and the Knights put together more good passing to move the ball to Olly on the right wing. He battled hard to stay in play, before cutting inside and popping a lovely pass to Zane V who drove wide left and over in the corner. Excellent stuff from the Knights. Avonvale struck back before half time to make it 1-2.

The Browns were on for the second period, Ben, Zane C, Tyler, Ethan, Jack F, Jacob, Olivia B and Amelia. Olivia B got the knights away with a trademark storming run through the middle. Kingswood had good possession, retaining the ball in contact and moving it around well, probing for a gap, eventually found when Ben popped a long pass to Zane C who powered over, 2-2. (Alfred on for injured Zane C) Good defending from Alfred,Jack and Olivia kept the visitors at bay before they nabbed the next, before Ben found some room shortly after the restart and powered for the line. Avonvale struck again, then Zane C was back on and back in the action with a super tackle, but Avonvale were over again, 3-5. Olivia made another positive drive, Ben and Amelia in support and working towards the line, and Jack F over. Tyler made a super, strong run, Jack and Ethan trying to capitalise and driving for the line, but the ball spilling forward. The visitors struck again, before a humdinger of a run and try from Olivia B ensured only a single try deficit to take into game 2. 5-6 at full time.

GAME 2

The Blues (Ryan C, Olly, Olivia T, Ryan K, Will, Alfred and Ethan L) were up again, Zane V switching jerseys to help out the opposition. Ethan L made some yards driving forward, and Olivia T was dogged in the tackle moving the ball to Olly before she was grounded; he cut in-field and made a peach of a pass to Will who found himself in acres of space and charge over, 1-0. Avonvale levelled before a Olly drove down the right and over for 2-1. Olly then turned provider, snaffling a loose ball and moving the ball to Will who found the try line having run deep in his own half, and now it was 3-1. Olly was determined in defence and ran his man (Zane V!) out, but the knights lost possession and conceded before the whistle, 3-2.

The Browns (Ben, Tyler, Ethan, Jack F, Jacob, Olivia B and Jacob) would see out the game, with Ethan L joining Zane in opposition ranks and Alfred in for the injured Zane C. Ethan made an excellent run and was unlucky to lose it in the tackle. Avonvale levelled affairs, before Tyler made another big run forward, and again unlucky to see the ball knocked-on. Alfred and Jack F, defensive warriors as usual, forced a mistake from Avonvale to win the ball; Olivia B drove forward, Ben made a quick offload to Alfred, who found space and drove over. 4-3 at the whistle.

So an aggregate score of 9-9 over the two games.

Player of the day was Zane V, who was a handful for both sides today!

Match report courtesy of Nick Hackett.