KC 20 Evesham 22 Semi Final North Mids Shield
For the last game of the season KC met Evesham who had beaten them twice earlier in the season. KC came out and immediately looked sharp and were looking dangerous. First score came from a penalty after KC pressure in the Evesham 22, Jack O’Hagan kicked the points.
KC next score was a very good try, George Tildesley gained possession in the 22, chipped the ball over the defence, Evesham mishandled in defence, fast supporting Will Fallows stole the ball and made 25metres, was tackled and passed the ball to Tildesley for him to cross for the points, O’Hagan converting.
Evesham had their moments with a maul close to KC line and from this were able to score a converted try. KC defence was good until just before half time Evesham ran the ball down their line beating the defence to score an unconverted try. The second half started with the worst moments of the game for KC. From the Evesham kick-off the ball was knocked on. Evesham won the ball in the resulting scrum and their centre was able to score a converted try under the posts. The period of ten minutes either side of half-time was the most disappointing for KC, this was where the game was lost.
A highlight for KC was that their line-outs were the best of the season, hooker Lee Wilkes and jumper Tom Kerrigan working together to win almost all of their own ball. KC defence was good with great tackling particularly by Will Fallows, Tom Dalton and Jesse Burgess.
KC forward pressure in the loose resulted in a penalty taken by Jack O’Hagan, soon after Evesham gained a penalty keeping their nine point advantage. KC were penalised and reduced to 14 men, the character of the team spirit showed through as they kept up their pressure.
The last quarter was one of KC’s best periods taking control with lots of territory gains through both the backs and forwards, pressure and support play being very good. KC attacks came through good teamwork; including Ryan Tiene whose powerful runs were not able to get through, similarly Ryan Wainwright ran good lines which were thwarted by the Evesham defence.
KC had worked their way to the Evesham line and winning a penalty under the posts spurned the kick. Playing it short, more pressure gained them a scrum from which captain Chris Pinner scored a try, converted again by the reliable O’Hagan. In the short time left KC tried but were unable to snatch the win, losing 20 – 22.
This KC side has developed through the season and must be complimented for the way they played against a very successful Evesham side. Many of the younger players in the group have gained from the experience and stepped up to the plate when required.
KC had success on tour in Malta, with the veterans side winning a round robin tournament.
Bob Davies