Rugby Lions v Kings Norton match report

Kings ventured into the den of runaway promotion favourites Rugby Lions with hope and intention of another good showing against clearly the best team in the league. The final score-line failing to indicate how well the Hopwood team performed against a squad of players who King’s President & coach Mark Pearson described after the game as the most well organised and coordinated team that he had watched perform for many a year. He went on to state “Rugby fielded an exceptionally high quality set of three quarters who took full advantage of our Inexperience & took us apart with vision and adept attacking play”.

Kings had been narrowly defeated earlier in the season by the Lions at Hopwood Park when they were unlucky to not gain a losing bonus point and the home team were clearly prepared to prove their worth in front of their supporters who expected another massive win at Webb Ellis Road. Kings began well and were soon awarded a penalty but captain Shane Rees saw his kick fall just short of the cross bar. The ball was cleared but after Rugby’s first attack was repelled a clearance kick which failed to find touch was gathered and the home backs slick counter attack saw them cross the line for the first of their six first half tries, four of which were converted. Kings interspersed these scores with plenty of possession, hard tacking and unending endeavour, the forwards battled throughout gaining ground but every time the ball was kicked away or lost possession, Rugby capitalised clicking into gear showing their class, riding tackles or completing clever passes often leaving their opposition for dead, scoring from virtually every opportunity.

Half time Rugby Lions 38 Pts v Kings Norton 0 Pts.

The home crowd were expecting much of the same in the second period & Rugby scored their seventh try under the posts after just 2 mins but Kings were not prepared to be over run and changed their game plan to close the game with tight forward play. These efforts were rewarded when after a 14 minute spell of driving play and pressure 2nd row Rob McGhee crossed the home try line and Rees converted. Rugby soon hit back and again sliced through the visitors defence to score another converted try. Then after a home player was sin binned for constant infringements Kings back row Sam Back Sam Back drove over after a powerful period of forward phases to gain Kings second try, Rees narrowly missing the conversion. Rugby scored 2 more tries but failed to increase their tally as Kings battled away for the final 10 minutes with 14 men on the counter attack. Although Rugby were clearly the better team Kings valiant efforts cannot be understated putting this game into perspective as this was the first time this season that Rugby had conceded any tries at home with only 3 league teams managing to score any points at all at the home of Rugby football.

Kings will regroup and prepare for their next league match at home against Stoke Old Boys on Saturday January 31st KO 2.15.p.m.