Newsome Panther's V King Cross Park Under 7's
Sunday 08th July 2012
by Gareth West
PARK TAME PANTHER'S
An awesome display of attacking rugby league from King Cross Park Under 7's along with some determined defence saw them easily come out on top in this encounter. A glorious sunny day and a sound surface (surprising with all the recent rain!) suited the open running of the KXP team.
KXP won the toss and took control of possession through Dylan Jowett who went on a mazy run before finally being brought down just short of the half way line for the first tackle. The next tackle saw Cavan become receiver and he spotted a gap between two defenders before bursting through it down the right side of the field and evading two Newsome tacklers before diving over the line for the first try. 1 minute gone and KXP winning 4-0, great start by the lads.
KXP quickly got back into their defensive line ready for their first set of tackling. The first tackle saw Harry Forster leading from the front with a big tackle which knocked the Newsome player straight to the floor. The lads took confidence from this and the next three tackles saw Newsome being pushed back towards their own half off some good team tackling from Jacob smith, Marley Thacker, Cavan King, George West and Dylan Jowett. The set was finally completed with some solid defence from KXP which had restricted Newsome to just 10 metres gained. 4 minutes gone and the KXP boys were dominating their opponents. KXP started their next set of possession as they had finished their first. George West took the ball from Cavan King and set off down the right side of the field and managed to evade 2 Newsome tacklers before showing a good turn of pace, in order to evade the Newsome full back before planting the ball over the line. KXP taking a deserved 8-0 lead with just 5 minutes gone.
Newsome started the next set of tackles hoping to try and find a way through but to no avail. They were met by some fearsome defence from Declan Knapping which along with the help of Ben Hygate almost forced the Newsome player over the touchline on the second tackle. KXP had formed a solid defensive line and were moving up as a team on every tackle which restricted their opponents to very few metres every time they had the ball. This set of tackles saw the Newsome player make some good metres before being stopped with a good 'one on one' tackle from Dylan Jowett which again forced the handover. No way through for Newsome, the KXP lads meant business!!
KXP restarted the game through Kai Holloway who made an excellent run down the left side before being halted just inside his own half. Declan Knapping then made a strong run to push KXP over into Newsomes' half of the field. You could see the momentum building and from a quick play the ball Harry Forster made a good short burst and attracted 3 Newsome defenders before offloading the ball to Dylan Jowett who weaved in and out of the covering defence before squeezing over in the corner for a third score for the visitors. 12 - 0 to KXP.
Newsome took the ball from the restart but their first 3 tackles were quickly completed by some good strong tackling from Kai Holloway, Jacob Smith, Cavan King, Marley Thacker and Harry Forster. The next 2 tackles were solid hits from the bullish defence of Declan Knapping who drove his opponent back by 4 or 5 yards. A strong run from the Newsome player on the last tackle was finally brought to a halt by a good tackle from George West.
KXP started the last set of the half through a good run by Jacob Smith. Marley Thacker then fed the try scoring machine of Ben Hygate who darted around two players and then handed off another before using his speed to race away and score his team's fourth try of the match. KXP into a commanding 16 - 0 lead at half time.
KXP came out for the second half in determined mood once again. A Newsome player took possession from the kick off but the KXP tacklers were waiting in numbers in the shape of Harry Forster, Jacob Smith, Cavan King and Marley Thacker. On the next tackle a good strong hit from George West forced the Newsome player to drop the ball. KXP took up the possession and were immediately on the front foot with Marley Thacker making good yards on the second tackle. Dylan Jowett then made another impressive run to get his team near to the Newsome try line. Some good tackling from the Newsome team saw KXP stopped short of the line on this set of tackles.
The next set of tackles from KXP was probably the best of the whole game and every player on the team rolled up their sleeves and showed a great desire and determination. Newsome were unable to make any ground at all and KXP forced the handover through good tackling from Aaliyah Tooth and Jacob Smith. A quick try from George West early on the next set extended KXP's lead to 20 - 0. KXP soon took got the ball back from Newsome on the next set after a good tackle from Harry Forster forced the home team player into touch. On the first tackle Kai Holloway took up possession and made a really strong burst through the Newsome defence and raced up the touchline before being brought down not far from the Newsome line. Declan Knapping picked up the ball on the next tackle and forced his way over for KXP's 6th try. The lads were really enjoying themselves now and producing some great rugby league. 24 - 0 to KXP
Newsome took the ball from the restart and made some good yards which took them deep into the KXP half. Maybe Newsome were going to get over the line for their 1st score. The KXP team were determined this wasn't going to happen and produced some excellent scrambling defence to once again keep their opponents out. KXP took possession again and Aaliyah Tooth and Harry Forster both showed good strength in order to take their team further up-field. Cavan King then received the ball and made a long weaving run, nearly covering every blade of grass in his own half!! Ben Hygate then took advantage of the tiring Newsome defence, running from his own half past 2 or 3 tacklers before scoring in the left corner. Great try and an impressive score-line of KXP 28 - Newsome 0.
Newsome took the ball on the next play and tried to find a way through the tireless KXP defence but there was no way KXP were going to allow them a try and some more good tackling by Declan Knapping, George West and Dylan Jowett ensured Newsome didn't get over the KXP line. KXP took possession for the last play of the game and a brave run by Marley Thacker set up a good position for Dylan Jowett. Dylan managed to get over the Newsome try line but just kept running a little bit too far before planting the ball down just the wrong side of the try line bringing the game to an end. No try on this occasion. A great all round performance by KXP showed that their (and Damian's) hard work on the training field gave them the win they thoroughly deserved. Well done and keep it up.
Final Score KXP 28 - Newsome Panthers 0
Match Awards
Man of Match - Harry Forster
Try of Match - Ben Hygate
Top Tackler - George West
Coaches Award - Marley Thacker
Opposition Man of Match - George West