KC 26 Old Leamingtonians 32

KC hosted Old Leamingtonians and expected a testing time as they were in equal second place with KC in the league.
KC opened the scoring when a wayward OL kick was gathered by Chris Pinner who fed Ted Morgan for him to make a 30 metre dash through the OL defence to score a try converted by Tom Dalton. Ted’s youthful exuberance adds another dimension to the team.
OL opened their account when they scored a try from a push over and the conversion off the left-hand post. They added a second try soon after when a KC mistake near the OL 22 line gifted possession and with a good break from the half-way line, they scored missing the conversion.
KC were under much pressure from the well-drilled OL forwards, however the KC defence continued the pattern this season of being very difficult to crack. OL added to their lead with a penalty kick. The KC forwards put in lots of effort and worked well in the line-out and loose play, however OL completely dominated set scrums and loose scrums; shoving KC around at will. Man of the match Chris Pinner did a great job when often confronted with very scrappy ball.
KC, while down to 14 men, came back when a chip by George Tildesley led to a break by Ted Morgan who passed the ball for Ryan Tiene to score, Tom Dalton making the conversion. Another successful attack showing the class of their three-quarters earned KC a great try through George Tildesley, no conversion.
The half-time score was a surprising 19-15 lead in favour of KC, which was a reflection of their committed defence when the OL side had enjoyed 60/70% of the possession.
Early in the second half OL were in the KC half and after winning a line-out on the right-hand touch, several of their attempts to get over the line were repulsed by the KC defence. Eventually they switched their attack to the left-hand touch and scored a converted try. The sustained pressure from the OL forwards gained them a penalty and this was followed by a converted push-over try. OL were probably enjoying 75/80% of the possession, however the stubborn KC defence was forcing them across the field rather than making progress into the KC 22.
Forwards Alfie Smith, Lee Wilkes and Jack Barrett were prominent in both attack and defence. Captain Ryan Wainwright making some of his powerful drives into the opposition.
In the last five minutes KC three-quarters came to the fore as Ted Morgan passed to George Tildesley who scored with a very powerful run; conversion by the reliable Tom Dalton.
KC while beaten by a better side can be proud of their contribution for which they gained two league points, one bonus point for four tries and one for being within six points of the winners.
Bob Davies