Barkers Butts 37 KC 24
This was another game where KC gave the opposition a lead before they themselves started playing. After 2 minutes KC had beaten the first line Barkers Butts defence, unfortunately a KC chip ahead was intercepted by Barkers and they cut through the KC defence to score a converted try under the posts. Then with 7 minutes played Barkers scored an unconverted try as they stretched the KC defence across the field.
KC began to wake up and had several good moves in the Barkers half, then from a lineout on the right-hand touch the ball was quickly passed through the three-quarters to outflank the defence and get Will Fallows over for good try.
Using their superiority in the set scrums Barkers won the ball on the KC 22 and scored a converted try to increase their lead.
Just before half-time KC had a good three-quarter move. Jim Tildesley making a break, passed to his brother George who was stopped short of the line. He was able to off-load to Ryan Tiene who beat the Barkers defence near the right-hand touch, then cleverly ran across the field in goal to make the touch down between the posts. Tom Dalton converted.
The second half was well contested by KC and after five minutes George Tildesley made a break, passed to his brother Jim who in turn fed Ryan Tiene on the half-way line; Ryan with his trade mark 40 metre gallop scored and Jack O’Hagan slotted the conversion. This brought KC up to 19-19 which was a good achievement considering that they had handed Barkers a 12-0 lead in the first five minutes.
Barkers kicked a penalty, then in the KC 22 and using the power of their pack in the set piece won the ball and from the resulting maul scored an unconverted try.
Whilst KC forwards were second in terms of the set scrums and line-outs they were able to match Barkers in loose play where Scott Turner, Jack Shepherd, Blue Archer and Alfie Smith coming on as a replacement were prominent.
KC were throwing everything at Barkers attempting to get a four try bonus point; but the Barkers defence was holding firm. KC had pressure on the Barkers 22, however against the run of play they lost the ball to a turn-over and Barkers were able to run 70 metres to score a converted try. Barkers kicked another penalty shortly afterwards.
In the last few minutes KC replied strongly, winning territory. With the clock running down another big effort by KC got possession from a loose maul close to the Barkers line; as the ball went loose the alert Jim Tildesley touched down to score and get the bonus point.
Overall Barkers were the better side, however the final score of 37-24 to Barkers does not reflect the performance of KC who took their chances well, Giving the opposition a twelve point advantage at the start of the game put the KC team onto the back foot and it is to the credit of the players that they got back to 19-19 just after half-time.
Bob Davies