KC 38 Berkswell and Balsall RFC 32
Up against the table topping Berkswell and Balsall KC expected a severe test. KC came out with pressure through the forwards which gave them territorial advantage and a quick ball got George Tildesley over for try converted by Tom Dalton. Berkswell came back with their own pressure, and were looking dangerous on the KC 22 when Ryan Tiene intercepted a pass and galloped 70 metres to score under the posts, Dalton again converting.
KC were competing well in the forwards with Alfie Smith, Jack Barratt and Lee Wilks all working hard. KC were looking comfortable in mid-field and George Tildesley followed up a chip, made good ground and passed to Ryan Tiene for him to score.
KC were in the ascendancy as Will Fallows gathered the ball on the left-hand touch line near the half-way line and ghosted through leaving the Berkswell defence back on their heels, Dalton successful with the conversion.
Berkswell forwards re-organised and suddenly became a much more powerful unit and scored a push over try. KC replied with another try after Tom Dalton made a break on the Berkswell 22 and passed to Ryan Wainwright whose powerful run got him over near the posts, it looked as if the Berkswell team were not keen on tackling him.
Just before half-time Berkswell scored with another push-over try, again unconverted to take the score at the break to a 33-10 KC lead.
After half-time Berkswell came out re-invigorated and had pressure on the right-hand KC line, a series of penalties and scrums eventually gained a penalty try for Berkswell - which of course is now worth 7 points. This was followed by another push over try, again unconverted. At this point KC had no answer to the push from the Berkswell scrum. The KC lead was reduced to six points when Berkswell had a massive drive from a set scrum 10 metres out, again KC had no answer.
KC came back with a good move through the forwards, feeding the ball to Rich Sollum who gave a short pass for Ryan Tiene to score in the right-hand corner. This completed a Tiene hat-trick and for his all-round contribution deservedly received the man of the match award.
Adding to KC difficulties while under pressure they gave away several penalties and received a series of yellow cards, at one time being reduced to 13 players. Berkswell were looking strong scoring another try through their forwards, KC losing all cohesion in the set piece.
The final whistle could not come quick enough for KC who earned this good win against the table topping opposition.
KC have had several games where they have struggled in the set piece, players constantly changing does not help. Training sessions for the forwards need to concentrate on the scrum machine. KC have strong backs who with more possession could be relied on to score.
Bob Davies