Edwardians 29 – KC 19
KC with the wind behind them started this game against the league leaders very positively and their first move was an impressive 50 metre run out of defence by Rob Philips who beat at least four defenders. This was followed by a hack on from near the halfway line by Ryan Tiene, then supported by George Tildesley for him to score and for KC to take a 0-5 lead. KC carried on attacking the Edwardians line however could not get over. Edwardians had their turn and good handling by their backs and poor tackling from KC allowed them to score a converted try to take the lead. KC have been very strong in defence this season however weak tackling allowed Edwardians to score another converted try from a good move across the field after winning a scrum on the KC 22 metre line.
KC then scored the try of the game with a great team effort, beginning with a lineout win just in the Edwardians half. After several phases of KC possession across the field the ball eventually going to George Lloyd Jones for him to score, converted by Tom Dalton.
The rest of the half was fairly even although KC made things difficult for themselves with some missed tackles and a very good three quarter move by the KC backs was halted by a forward pass. Notable was the performance of Henry Humphrey at scrum half who, receiving difficult ball from the forwards, was still able to give good ball to the backs. Henry deservedly was voted man of the match.
Whilst the KC defence was not at its best there were good tackles made at important points by Nathan Ward, Harvey Kelsall, Tom Dalton and Beau Archer.
The second half started with Edwardians having the advantage of the wind behind them however spirited KC defence kept them out. Sterling work by the forwards in defence gave KC possession just in the Edwardians 22 and the ball was passed to George Tildesley who made a clever break and fed to George Lloyd Jones who sprinted 60 metres to score a great try converted by Tom Dalton. The possession moved backwards and forwards with both sides attacking and KC very much in the game with their seven-point lead. Into the last quarter the KC effort was telling and eventually the game turned in Edwardians favour as they made ground and from a short move scored a converted try. Another unconverted try was scored by Edwardians to take the lead 24-19. Continued pressure from Edwardians was kept out as KC fought manfully to resist. However, in the closing moments Edwardians were able to push over to score in the right-hand corner, their unconverted try taking them to a 29-19 win.
This was a superb game where KC surprised the Edwardians players and supporters alike. Edwardians n showed why they are the league leaders, nevertheless KC should be very proud of their performance particularly as they were in front for almost half the game.
Bob Davies