The game began with both sides contributing good rugby, play going back and fore between the 22 metre lines. KC played well in periods but overall it was a game to forget for several reasons. A real positive was having Chris Pinner back and his all-round play showed what we have missed during his lay-off with injury,
The first score came when KC gave away a penalty in front of their posts and this was converted by Newbold. Pressure from KC gave them the lead through a well worked try. Ryan Tiene started the move, passing to Tom Mayer who made good ground before being forced into touch close to the Newbold line. From the resulting line out a forward drive yielded a try for man of the match Dave Kane; with the conversion failing it gave KC a 5-3 lead.
At this point KC were playing well, holding their own in the set scrums and Rhys Kay winning good line-out ball. Almost on half-time KC failed to find touch from a kick out of their 22. Then, against the run of play Newbold came back with a period of sustained pressure to score a try close to the posts, converting to take the half time score to 5-10.
Soon after the kick off Newbold scored a try with quick ball from a set piece taken through by their inside centre, this they converted. Again both sides were having effective moments, although neither side could dominate. Newbold were winning significant possession, particularly in set scrums. A positive move by KC forwards gained a well worked try for captain Dave Protheroe who had another good overall game. This try was converted by Andy Mclellan to bring KC back to 12-17 down and hopes were for further success.
The game started to unravel for KC when a clearance kick off their line was charged down and the rebound gave an easy converted try to Newbold. Although KC tried hard a lack of concentration gave Newbold two further converted tries to win the game 12-38.
Bob Davies