Match Reports

By Simon Davis

Saturday 22nd September 2018

KXS 1st XV (20) v Ilford Wanderers (5)

Dean Cutting, Director of Rugby:

“On the first wet and windy day of this season the timing could not have been any worse to play an Ilford team that are normally associated with forward play and set piece dominance, however this KXS team had other ideas and met the challenge head on.

The first half was one of playing into the rain and wind, and up the slope. Ilford certainly had the majority of possession during this period, but the KXS defence and willingness to work hard for each other was evident from the outset, stopping regular waves of Ilford attacks and keeping the hosts at bay. Despite this, the KXS did venture up the field and applied pressure of their own and were only narrowly stopped on a couple of occasions, one of which resulted in a penalty for Sam Judd to kick over to give the visitors a 0-3 lead.

The pressure continued by Ilford and eventually was telling and the KXS skipper was yellow carded for an offside infringement. This could have proved costly but seemed to have the opposite effect as the defence kept knocking the attackers back phase after phase. This remained the way the half-finished and some resolute defence won the half.

The second half was a completely different story with KXS mounting regular attacks on the hosts’ line, although a break out for Ilford and a speculative kick ahead ended up with a fortunate bounce to an Ilford player to take the lead 5-3. This spurred KXS on to attack with more purpose and eventually the pressure told with a couple of quick well worked tries from McKinnon-Snell and K.Morgan. This was followed up by a try from Brockman which was converted by Judd which finally finished any hope of a comeback for Ilford and so the game ended with a well-deserved 5 - 20 victory to KXS.”

KXS 2nd XV (15) V Ongar (22)

Scott Marshall, 2nd XV Coach:

“KXS Second XV were away against Ongar’s first XV in a tense and rainy encounter. Steelers number 8 Sam Bennett broke the nil all deadlock at the 30 minute mark. Ongar hit back with two tries before half time. The second, a pushover try was converted. Ongar up 12 - 5 at the break.

KXS hit back with a well worked try ten minutes into the second half their backs executing well on the back of a strong forwards drive from the line out. Chris Norman entering the backline from fullback and dotting down under the posts. Ongar’s next try came again from a strong drive with one of their loose forwards pushing over.

A tense final ten minutes saw the Steelers 10, Chris Martin, kick an easy penalty and bring the score to within four points. With the Steelers continuing to apply pressure. It wasn’t to be though as a number of late backline handling errors impacted execution and a late kickable penalty for Ongar pushed the score line back to a seven point difference with two minutes to go. The score line stayed 22-15 to Ongar at the final whistle.”

KXS 2nd XV (0) V Cardiff Lions (53)

Ben Pugh, 4th XV Coach:

“The Steelers 4th team went down to defeat to the Cardiff Lions this weekend. On a very rainy afternoon, the Steelers started well, working their way into the opposition half as Cardiff conceded repeated penalties at the breakdown. Difficulties with set-pieces in the tricky conditions meant the Steelers were unable to capitalise on the early advantage and strong running from the forwards and quick hands in the backline soon brought Cardiff two tries. Another Cardiff score just before half-time meant the Steelers went into the break three tries down. The second half saw some good passages of play from the Steelers but Cardiff continued to be the stronger side overall, with two tries in the last few minutes bringing the final score to 53-0.”

Next matches:

Saturday 29th September

KXS 1st XV V Campion (Home)

KXS 2nd XV V Runwell Wyverns (Away)

KXS 3rd XV V Dagenham II (Away)

Support the Steelers

You can become a supporter of the Kings Cross Steelers, the world’s first inclusive rugby team, by going online to officially register or come and watch from the side-line at our grounds at East London Rugby Football Club, West Ham.


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Updated 11:50 - 30 Aug 2019 by Tom Gorton-Clark

Where next?

Match Reports Saturday 29th September 2018
Match Reports 15th September 2018

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Schedule
Sat 6 Apr
a
League 14:15
a
League 14:15
a
Friendly 15:00
a
2nd XV Barking
Friendly 15:00
a
Friendly 15:00
Sat 13 Apr
h
League 15:00
h
League 15:00

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