Kesteven Club Round Up
The Globetrotters competed their league campaign knowing that a win could see them crowned champions for the 2nd year in succession.
Simon Oakes has had two wonderful seasons in charge and has been rewarded with great support from his squad.
K's started in a rush, turning over the Moderns scrum with a great drive. The visitors survived the early onslaught and showed a willingness to move the ball through their impressive back line. Moderns were first on the score sheet when their full back came into the line at speed and created space for their centre to score/ The try was unconverted but a penalty shortly after gave them an 8 - 0 lead which was well merited.
Kesteven, who had been a bit lethargic early on at last sprung into life. Dave Tweddle was up first to challenge for the restart and won good possession. The ball was worked out to the backs and Rob Cooper straightened the line to create a gap. He sped through to score at the post to give Harland an easy conversion. Harland was then unsuccessful with a penalty attempt.
Moderns kicked the ball deep from the 22 and Simon Oakes tried an ambitious drop goal attempt. Somehow the ball fell to Lidstone at full back whose elusive running created space for Harland to race in at the corner to give the home side the lead at 12 - 8.
The second half became a tense affair. Hamilton was sin binned after a fracas, but Moderns were not able to take advantage. Kesteven gradually got on top but were finding it difficult to breakdown the defence. The final try came when Lidstone, whose balanced running was a threat all afternoon, caught a clearance kick and used his wing as a decoy to give him space to score.
The match finished with Kesteven pressing hard for the bonus point try but they were unable to add to their score despite Burton and Price creating great holes in the Moderns defence.
The win should see Kesteven crowned as league champions again.. Oakes led the side again with a mix of coaxing, drive and inspiration. He was well served by Andy Pearsey, who claims he is retiring. These elder statesmen were well served by the young blood in the side with Harland, and Cooper rapier like with their thrusts. Lamb was a very useful fly half getting the best out of the three quarters, Charles and Dent added experience, while Lidstone was the star that shone with his ability to find and use space.
In the pack again the mix of youth in the shape of Purves, Tweddle and Hughes blended well with the experience of Pearsey, Midgely and Shields. It is a fitting legacy for next season.
Team was Lidstone; Charles, Cooper, Dent, Harland; Lamb, Oakes; Purves, Hamilton, Shields, Tweddle, Miles, Midgely, Korcz, Pearsey Subs Price, Brown, Camm, Burton, Hughes
Kesteven U9s
Stamford Festival 18 April 2010
Kesteven under 9's went to the Stamford festival in high hopes of improving on last year’s event when they were knocked out in the group stage without registering a single win.
Kesteven were first up against Spalding B and with a hot dry day K's looked to use their abrasive forwards of William Poole, Jake Eagle and Matt Addlesse to secure the ball in the opening exchanges for the fly boy backs. The first score soon came with some aggressive rucking allowing space for Sam Green to cross the whitewash. This settled K's who ran in 4 more tries before half time, Jake Wright, William Poole, Jake Eagle and Ben Whinney picking up the scores.
The second half saw more of the same for K's who ran in another 4 tries to start in confident form with an overall score of 9 tries to 0. The scorers in the second half were, Harry Norsworthy, Sam Green, Ben Whinney and Jack Turner.
Stamford B was next to face the mighty blacks and Kesteven were in no mood to give the hosts an easy ride. The aggressive play at the breakdown again saw Sam Green first on the score sheet with a barging run through the defence. The half time whistle came and Kesteven had it all to play for. The second half was played out in the middle of the park with no side taking advantage. K's managed the break through with Chester Shelbourn racing around the blind side to beat the cover defence. K's then stepped up a level and in quick succession Jack Eagle then Tom Casey scored to secure the bonus point and the win.
A win in the final match against Oundle B would secure Kesteven a place in the semi final. Oundle started the better and kept the ball tight. K's struggled to get their hands on the ball and gave away numerous penalties for illegal handoffs. This did not upset the Grantham side when Sean Nel broke through at the end of the first half to score. In the second half Oundle could not cope with the power of Kesteven, Jake Eagle broke through following some good passing from Matt Addlssee. Jack Turner was next on the score sheet with a length of the field try. Having won the ball by his own line he stepped two Oundle defenders pinned his ears back and raced for the try line. Kesteven were not content to sit back and sought out the 4th try for the bonus point, it duly came with a storming run from Tom Casey
Kesteven had won all three matches in the group stage and had not conceded a single try. This was a great improvement on last year’s results and K's were upbeat about meeting Oakham who were also undefeated.
The semi final was a tight and tense affair with the majority of the play being close to the break down. Oakham looked to keep it tight and knocked Kesteven off their stride preventing Kesteven from moving the ball wide to their strong centre runners. In the closing minute of the first half Oakham got the break through as the Kesteven defence finally gave way. K's still had everything to play for and gave it a real go in the second half. Kesteven battled hard but fell just short conceding another try which they were unable to recover from.
Oakham the eventual winners 2 tries to 0.
Oakham met Oundle in the final with Oakham winning 3-0.
This was a great display from all the players involved and all the parents and grandparents who made the trip to support the boys. All the players can be proud of their contribution to the performance; it was a real team effort for all 14 boys. Although not mentioned due to not being on the score sheet Neil Sweeney, Harry Calvert and Henry Parker made valuable contributions in all 4 games in order for their team mates to score and keep the opposition out.
Squad below.
Henry Parker, William Poole, Jake Wright, Chester Shelbourn, Sam Green, Matt Addlesee, Jake Eagle, Sean Nel, Thomas Casey, Ben Whinney, Neil Sweeney, Jack Turner, Harry Norsworthy, Harry Calvert.
Under 11 Stamford Festival
KESTEVEN 0 Lincoln 0
kESTEVEN 5 Oundle 10
kESTEVEN 5 Stamford 5
Terrific weather greeted Kesteven at the Stamford Festival this weekend.
The pitch was disappointingly small and made for slow progress with the backs having little freedom.
The first game against Lincoln reflected this fact with both teams having share of possession and both being camped for
periods in the opposition half. With little chance of breakaways stalemate was a fair result.
The second game again was close with the smaller lads of Kesteven tackling well against the larger Oundle players
but ultimately coming unstuck with try for Oundle in the first half. Lampard forced his way over the line early in the
second half but Oundle struck in the dying minutes of the game.
The third game against Stamford was more flowing with the ball getting out to the wings but limited space
meant little forward movement for the faster boys. Stamford again scored first but rather than let their
heads drop Kesteven went to the other end of the pitch and a perfect dummy pass from Udom gave him ample
room to come between the Stamford fly half and centre and score a well deserved equaliser. Time ran out as
Kesteven pushed for a worthy winner.
Photo enclosed
The boys had played well and matched teams with much bigger players and squads.
They can be rightly proud of themselves.
Players
Kearsey(C), Brewin, Clydesdale, Lampard, McLoughlin, Rogerson, Pashley, Porter, Smith, Udom, Whinney, Windsor
