Oswestry 7 KC 40

This game was a semi-final of the North Midlands Shield competition and the wet conditions meant a slippery ball. In the first five minutes KC were in control putting pressure on Oswestry in their 22 without any scoring opportunities. Then Oswestry came back for an almost ten minute period of attack in the KC 22 area with phase after phase being repelled by the KC defence. Eventually Oswestry found a chink in the KC shield and got over to score a converted try.

KC then worked their way into the Oswestry half and a quick move was scored by George Tildesley converted by Harry Taft. Soon after KC got into the Oswestry 22 and a clever move by Ethan Keenan, passed to Chris Pinner who with a quick short feed allowed George Tildesley to cut through the defence to score, again converted by Taft. KC forwards were working very well with ground being made by Morgan Maxwell who is becoming difficult to stop when he gets going.

Half time came with KC comfortably leading 14-7. The second half carried on as the earlier period and a great move in the threequarters as the ball was passed to Ryan Tiene for him to sprint 40 metres to score with his first touch of the ball. A forward move gained ground and then passed to George Lloyd Jones who showed his speed as he outpaced the defence to score. Taft converting.
Ethan Keenan and replacements Hakeem Hussain were both very active in attack and defence. KC line-outs were pretty safe with good communication between Lee Wilks and the jumpers - brothers Beau and Blue Archer. Man of the match Martin Mcilroy put in a very workman like performance.

KC then won the ball just in the Oswestry half and passed to Ryan Tiene. Tiene with sight of the line was unstoppable as he hurtled down the touch to score and get his hat-trick.. Taft converting. KC scored again in the last moments with an impressive move. The ball fed to Tiene who with 30 metres to go skilfully chipped over the last defender and touched down in the in-goal area. Taft converted for his fifth conversion; his contribution as a kicker and with some good handling was immense.

Notable were the performances of both Henry Humphrey and Nico Bond whose contributions belied their years.

Somehow it took KC some time to settle in to this game, but once they did it was a very good result. All the players can be very proud of their individual performances and contribution to what was first-rate team effort – well done.

Bob Davies