Hallelujah!!

Admittedly, Drighlington Tigers weren’t the strongest of teams but were similar to KXP in many ways. A well-mannered bunch of lads (and girl), a good coaching team and a decent group of parents/spectators. Yet today, they came up against a KXP team who were on the front foot from the kick-off and certainly finished the game the stronger of the two teams.

KXP got the game underway and from the off were intent on playing a more expansive game to that which we’d painfully endured in previous weeks. Admittedly, the ball rarely made its way to the wings – never in fact but the signs were certainly more promising. It was Todd Horner, playing against Doctors orders, who got KXP’s first points of the game, scoring under the sticks and successfully converting the extra two points, 6-0.

It was one-way traffic, yet the Tigers scored against the run of play and levelled the scores at 6-6.

In previous weeks, the KXP’s boy’s heads would have dropped at this point but not today. They again took the game to the Tigers, with tough carries from Max Didgiunaitis, Louis Inman and the ever improving Kyle Bottomley pushing the Tigers defence back to their own goal line, before eventually succumbing to the relentless pressure, with Louis Inman crashing over the line to put KXP back in front. His successful conversion increased KXP’s lead to 12-6.

Half-time

The Tigers started the second half much the brighter of the two teams but the KXP defence worked tirelessly to prevent their try-line from being breached and got their just rewards when a break from Louis Inman set William Davidson away, scoring in at the corner, extending KXP’s lead, and with another successful conversion by Todd Horner making the score 18-6.

With just 5 minutes remaining and in search of some action, Noah Smerdon stepped into dummy half, scooted and forced his way over the line, to put the game beyond doubt. Another successful conversion by Louis Inman sent KXP into a 24-6 lead.

When the final whistle blew, it was smiles all round….even from me and for once, the boys deserved their high 5’s. Happy Days!!!

Opposition Man of the Match: Kyle Bottomley
Man of the Match: Todd Horner
Best Defensive Performance: Louis Inman
Magic Moment: Kyle Bottomley
Coaches Award: William Davidson