Match Report
1st XV vs Barker Butts 12 February 2022 - Barker Butts 17 KC 6

The game was dominated by the weather, a very strong wind across the pitch made handling and catching kicks a lottery particularly when powerful gusts increased the intensity.
This was another game where KC were slow out of the blocks, playing against the wind allowed the opposition to put real pressure onto KC. In the first 20 minutes KC only had one brief foray out of their 22, a succession of penalties given against them had kept them pegged back. Luckily for KC Barker Butts did not make the most of their opportunities and kept choosing what turned out to be the wrong option; the KC defence must be commended for keeping the opposition out. This was with good tackling and scrummaging which repelled repeated Barkers drives.
Once KC got going, they were able to get some pressure of their own. Stand out players were Jim Tildesley and Ryan Wainwright who both made good ground. Although line outs were a lottery in the windy conditions George Lloyd-Jones was able to win some good ball.
Rewarding their pressure KC were awarded a penalty on the Barker’s 22 and, back from injury, Jack O’Hagan successfully kicked the points with a well-judged effort in the high winds.
KC were reduced to 14 men when Andy McLellan was yellow carded, your correspondent is unsure of his misdemeanour. It looked as if KC would get to half time with a 3 point advantage. Then, out of nowhere Barkers scored two tries, one converted, in the dying moments of the added time.
Even at 12-3 down spectators were confident that KC could still win the game in the second half, particularly as the wind would be behind them. Early in the second half KC gained a second penalty under the posts, kicked by Jack O’Hagan and all looked good. KC forwards were now working well, Alfie Smith, Harvey Kelsall and Ryan Wainwright were prominent, unfortunately handling was difficult in the conditions and try as they might KC were unable to get their backs going.
KC did gain good field positions on several occasions only to have penalties given against them. Unfortunately, the game was characterised by KC falling foul of the referee’s interpretation of the laws of rugby.
KC pressure looked as if they could eventually score the converted try needed to win the game when against the run of play Barkers scored a further try to extend their lead. A lost opportunity for KC however Barker Butts deserved their win because they scored three tries.
-------------------
Bob Davies
130222