Old Laurentians 26 KC’s 7

After the great result last week KCs were brought down to earth by a very wet mucky pitch on which their opponents coped much better .
In the early stages of the game Old Laurentians were putting pressure on the KC line, this continued with KCs defending manfully; however unable to gain clean p
ossession to get out of their 22. After 10 minutes OLs were given a lineout 10 metres from the KC line, and through a forward move were able to score a converted try. With a move from a short penalty OL scored a second try missing the conversion.
A KC score looked likely when a good move down the three quarters looked as if Ryan Tiene would go round the defence, unfortunately as he changed direction he aggravated an old ham-string injury and had to go off.
KC were not coping as well with the conditions as OL, dropping the very slippery ball on several occasions; this thwarted several of the potential KC attacking moves.
OL added a third try when KC, possibly confused by the new law requiring a kick from the goal line, kicked the ball straight to an OL player who scored a converted try.
Before half-time KC had one of their best periods, good forward moves taking them up into the OL 22, Simon Clarke being prominent at this point. They were unable to turn their possession into points.
Half time came with OL leading by 19-0.
Second half began with more of the same, although as KC adapted to the conditions they began to enjoy more territorial advantages. KC forwards were enjoying more possession in the loose as they played themselves into the game. Unfortunately concentration lapsed when an OL took a quick lineout and with KC minds elsewhere, they were gifted a converted try as their only score in the second half.
KC came back into the game with a series of good forward moves. The most successful of which was initiated by Tom Maher, taken on by others to be finally grounded by Simon Clarke converted by Jack O’Hagan. Whilst KC were beaten by a better team on the day they can console themselves that the scores in the second half were level.

Bob Davies
3 October 2021