KXP Tame the Lions

I'd taken a two month sabbatical from writing match reports; due solely to the fact watching KXP’s recent performances was bad enough but to then relive it through a match report, would have resembled a perverse form of masochism. We all have our guilty pleasures but that’s most definitely not one of mine!!

It’d be wrong of me to say that a team ‘had this coming’, as for the majority of this season, KXP have offered little in the way of resistance and have looked a beaten team before kick-off but today’s performance was like a breath of fresh air. The drills were executed to perfection during their warm-up and the lads were clearly ‘up for it’ from the kick-off.

Fev got the game underway and KXP didn’t knock on, let the ball run out of play or indeed make any sort of unforced error…..so far so good. Things were to get even better, as moments later, a good run from Tyler Brocklehurst, culminated in Ted Grogan scoring in at the corner and a successful conversion by Louis Inman put KXP 6-0 up.

KXP weren’t used to being in the front so early on in a game or at any time during a game for that matter but KXP had extended their lead within minutes. Seb Fahey’s been a real find this season and in all honesty, one of the few lads who’ve played consistently well all season. He made an excellent break from KXP’s own 20 metre line and got so close to Fev’s own 20 metre line, only for the referee to bring play back to the half way line, when playing the advantage would have been the fairer option. This decision made little difference as the returning Mackenzie Fielden crashed over the try line and extended KXP’s lead to 10-0.

It was now one way traffic and a sweeping play involving Seb, Tyler, Louis and Ted, lead to Noah Smerdon touching down and sending KXP into a 14-0 lead. KXP reached the 20 point mark just before half time, as Louis Inman collected the ball from our scrum, a quick pass to Ted Grogan, who then neatly released Seb Fahey out wide. Louis Inman added the extra two points and there were all smiles at half time.

KXP got the second half underway and similarly to the first half, they pressed the ball well and trapped Fev within their own 20 metre line. This pressure lead to KXP regaining possession and Noah Smerdon zigzagged his way in at the corner and Louis Inman again successfully added the extra points, 26-0.

KXP were most definitely now ‘sailing in uncharted waters’. Every player wanted the ball and it wasn’t long before Tyler Brocklehurst grabbed a trademark try, weaving in and out of Fev’s defence and sending KXP into an unassailable 30-0 lead. Yet with the coaching team of Waddy and Zak shouting ‘no tries’, their words clearly fell on deaf ears, as sloppy defence lead to Fev grabbing what proved to be a consolation try, 30-4.

KXP’s response was immediate and Man of the Match, Sammy Hopkinson, scored a well-deserved try, carrying four Fev Lions players over the line with him. Louis Inman’s trusty boot made the score 36-4 and with full time fast approaching, Louis Inman added to his conversion haul of eight points by neatly scoring between the posts and successfully converting his own try too.

Final score: 42-4.
We’re not getting carried away here, as Fev Lions are bottom of the league and on yesterday’s performance, it was clear to see why but hopefully this win has given KXP a much needed confidence boost and where as they’re not going to go on a winning streak for the remainder of the season, they’ll at least hopefully offer more of a challenge to their league rivals.

Opposition Man of the Match: ​Louis Inman
Man of the Match:​​Sammy Hopkinson
Top Defensive Performance: ​Team
Coaches Award:​​Matthew Wragg
Parents Man of the Match: ​Sammy Hopkinson