King's Bring The Heat, Winch Frozen Out

By Kelvin Walton.

This absorbing match was played out in freezing conditions, as the unusual and bitter northerly wind made life difficult for the players, and character-building for the spectators and officials. King’s narrowly overcame a young, well drilled and committed Winchester squad, who rewarded their impressive travelling support with an energetic performance.

The early run of play favoured the visitors, who just lacked the poise to convert territory into points. King’s weathered this storm - and then broke away to score through a fine solo try by number 8 Diggy Forshaw, a welcome weekend visitor from Exeter University. Diggy smashed through in midfield, and then took full advantage of the space he found to swerve and power to the line; Rory Jones converted, for a 7-0 lead.

Winchester cut back King’s lead to 7-3 through a well struck penalty goal by scrum half Connor Breen, after a sustained period of pressure. King’s swiftly restored a 7-point margin via a Rory Jones penalty goal. They then added an unconverted try, scored in the left hand corner by Chris Breslin, who powered over the top of the final attempted tackle at the end of a swift and fluent attack. Winchester struck back with a try by number 8 Frank Bagnall, whose strong running made for an interesting afternoon’s contest with King’s Forshaw.

The teams turned round with King’s leading 15-8, perhaps a little fortunately. Playing into the wind, still sharp and gusting, would clearly be demanding of stamina, tactics and technique.
Both teams exerted periods of pressure in the second half, with Winchester’s powerful forward runners frequently looking threatening. But it was King’s who secured what proved to be the critical score through a Jones penalty, chipped over against the stormy blast. 18-8.

King’s were now in a position to close the game out, and were doing increasingly well by keeping the ball in hand, until a rather ill-judged tactical kick restored possession to the visitors, who mounted a wave of attacks. King’s received a team yellow card for repeated red zone offences, and Winchester were eventually awarded a penalty try (converted) to close the gap to 18-15.

The King’s fourteen men hung on during the remainder of the sin-binning, as the game entered its decisive quarter. In the event, Winchester’s handling let them down as they pressed for the winning score. The King’s pack focussed their efforts, and secured two critical turn-overs of attacking lineouts, and also took a set scrum against the head. The final whistle was greeted with some relief by the home side. Both teams can take credit for the intensity of their efforts, in a cleanly fought match whose outcome was in doubt right to the end.

The King’s pack’s hard work was fully rewarded this week. Fly half Rory Jones was always looking to launch the backs despite the conditions, and each of the three-quarters looked dangerous on occasion. The squad will surely work hard in training over the next weeks to achieve the improvement necessary to fulfil its undoubted potential.

Elsewhere, events worked well for King’s. Losses for Exiles (well beaten at home by London Cornish) and Warlingham (defeated 11-9 at Effingham and Leatherhead) mean that King’s occupy 3rd place in the league, separated from Old Reigatian by a superior points for/against differential. Any incipient triumphalism should be firmly suppressed, given that 9th place Portsmouth are just 4 points behind in this highly competitive league.

Next week we have a cup match away at bracing Broadstairs against Thanet Wanderers RFC (http://www.thanetwanderers.co.uk) who are presently 11th in London 2SE. Our next London 2SW fixture is away at league leaders Cobham on Saturday 5th December.