KC 51 Shrewsbury 12
KC were going to enjoy the good pitch conditions at Marlpool Lane and so it proved. In the first few minutes the KC team had not woken up allowing Shrewsbury to score a converted try. This galvanised the KC team who used possession to get forward pressure close to the line, concerted effort got Morgan Maxwell over for the first KC try which was converted by Tom Dalton. KC had a penalty to take the lead, however in the first quarter Shrewsbury had the majority of possession. KC defence was solid with good tackles from Will Fallows, Jack Barrett and Hakeem Hussain. From a short penalty KC moved the ball through the forwards and Morgan Maxwell scored his second try. A series of good carries by the backs culminated with George Lloyd Jones making a good break, the ball being taken on by the supporting Tom Daly to score and convert his own try. Just before half-time Shrewsbury scored a push over try to take the KC lead at half-time 22-12.
KC dominated the opening exchanges in the second half winning a penalty which Tom Dalton slotted over to increase the lead. Shrewsbury were reduced to 14 men. KC took advantage and Jack Evans chipped through from the 22, Man of the Match George Tildesley made the touch-down, Dalton with the conversion. The pacey KC backs built on possession, George Lloyd Jones making several incisive runs to gain ground. KC forwards played well making ground from a series of phases with good work from the front row of Morgan Maxwell, Lee Wilkes and Jack Barratt; Ethan Keenan was prominent. This was a game where KC took advantage of erratic Shrewsbury line-outs to gain possession. It was pleasing to see the forwards passing to the backs rather than trying to go themselves. More pressure from KC on the 22 gave opportunities. A good pass from Jesse Burgess was passed on by Jack Evans for George Tildesley to power over. Shrewsbury were further reduced to 13 men for a short period and KC took full advantage of the reduced numbers. KC forwards won possession just inside the Shrewsbury ten metre line and the youthful Chris Pinner cut through with a 35 metre burst and scored a solo try and slotted the conversion. KC were now in complete control and just before the final whistle Simon Clarke trundled over for the last try, Chris Pinner making the conversion.
KC finished with a well deserved 51-12 win characterised by a good team effort with a resolute defence and well taken attacking opportunities.
Bob Davies