KC 10 Spartans 20

KC, with a much changed side, came up against a physically bigger and more powerful side who were prepared to run at every opportunity.
Much of the early exchanges were back in the KC half with good defence by all players, especially Alex Royall and new signing Harvey Kelsall.
KC were having difficulty getting clean possession as the Spartans weight showed in the set scrums and line-out mauls to starve the KC backs. Chris Pinner played very well considering he was receiving scrappy ball from a pack who were under continuous pressure.
A KC move early in the first half looked promising; it was initiated by Jack O’Hagan, taken on with a lovely break by Tom Dalton and George Tildesley could not get through to the line.
Pressure from Spartans big forwards was repelled with good defence, eventually Spartans took a scrum penalty and got over for a try, the conversion was missed.
KC came back with a great move from forty metres, once again started by O’Hagan, taken on by Andy McLellan passed to Ryan Tiene who found Tom Dalton coming round in support to score. O’Hagan kicked the conversion to give KC a 7-5 lead. KC squandered much of the scant possession they were getting by taking the wrong option back into the big forwards rather than sending the ball through the three-quarters.
KC were looking good in the early part of the second half although the continual tackling in defence was beginning to take its toll and tire them. KC pressure in the Spartans half earning them a penalty well taken by O’Hagan.
Good contributions for KC came from the ever dangerous George Tildesley, Ryan Wainwright and hard working George Lloyd Jones.
Spartans then had serious pressure on the KC line which was defended well, eventually it was sent out into their backs and they scored a converted try to take the lead.
A penalty won by Spartans was kicked to touch in the KC 22 and using their line-out superiority got a further try wide out. Just before the final whistle Spartand were given a penalty outside the KC 22 line and kicked successfully to end the game KC 10 – Spartans 20. The KC team must be complimented for sticking at the job and restricting Spartans to three tries.

Bob Davies