Match Reports - Saturday 6th October 2018

By Tom Gorton-Clark

All the results from across the club

KXS 1st XV (12) v Barking (20)
Dean Cutting, Director of Rugby:

"On a wet and cold day KXS 1st xv played their first ever competitive league game against Barking RFC.

The game was played in constant rain and a chilly wind which literally caught the KXS cold and off their guard as they slipped behind by two very early tries that were unconverted by Barking.

KXS played an impressive and powerful game then in the forwards, with wave after wave of driving play and Barking were not up to this physically and were constantly driven back.

Although there was little reward as there was to many knock-ons or final dropped passes that stopped these pressure being converted into points.

With the game approaching the final minutes of the half this forward dominance paid in points as after several waves of driving play the skipper Birch powered his way over the line taking a couple of Barking players with him to register the first points of the day. Although the conversion was missed KXS soon worked their way back to the Barking line and after a well executed catch drive Snell scored the second try of the day this time it was converted.

The second half was much like the first with KXS forward dominance against a Barking team that wanted to move the ball wide. Despite there being a yellow card given to Barking, the KXS were unable to capitalize on this numerical advantage, and there was no further score until the final 5 minutes. With a knock on missed by the referee and the Barking centre gathering the ball from the floor to race in untouched making the score 15 - 12.

After this score KXS had to chase the game to get any score that would take them ahead again as they had been for the majority of the game, but unfortunately fell for the sucker punch when a driving maul went over for Barking to seal the win 20 - 12.

Although this was a very disappointing result and possibly undeserved, there are improvements that are showing and we can take some comfort in the 3 losses we have had only being lost by 8, 9 and 8 points. We are not far off and we will get our slice of luck in later rounds of that I am sure.2

KXS 2nd XV (31) v East London III (5)

Scott Marshal, 2nd XV Coach:

"Appalling conditions and driving rain set the scene for the derby clash between Kings Cross Steelers 2nd XV and East London RFC's 3rd XV at Memorial Park.

Play got underway with a series of strong drives form the East London pack. Leveraging their size advantage and the conditions to apply pressure to the KXS try line and scrum in the first 20 minutes. Steelers absorbed the pressure and worked their way back up the pitch with a strong break by their hooker Ross Griffiths. Outside centre Peter Szewcyk-Gould made his way under the posts for the first try a few phases later. The conversion making the score 7-0 where it stayed until the second half.

Two quick unconverted tries in the first ten minutes of the second half from Ben Coney Critchley’s fly-half breaks pushed the Steelers lead to 17-0. East London hit back with an unconverted try at the 55 minute mark. The score staying 17-5 until the last 15 minutes when the Steelers sustained pressure was rewarded with late tries to Jack Hughes and Tom Gorton-Clark. The final score was 31-5.

A great game considering the conditions. We always enjoy the spirit of our rivalry with East London. It is especially pleasing given the downpour to see 5 tries to our backs, built on the hard work of our pack."

KXS 3rd XV (19) v Ravens (25)
Bryan Verster, 3rd XV Coach:

"In what can only be described as apocalyptic weather conditions, this was a game that played to the oppositions strengths. Big ball carriers up front and a large inside centre were responsible for all of the Ravens points in a wet and cold encounter.

The Steelers applied themselves well and went ahead 7-0 with a good try under the posts from outside centre Brandon Labistour after only 10 minutes but the Ravens hit back shortly thereafter with an unconverted try of their own.

Some very scrappy play followed with countless scrums from knocked-on balls. The Steelers held their own in the scrums and lineouts and won a number of turnover balls from excellent counter rucking but were unable to capitalise from this possession. Our quick backline could not get any momentum in the conditions with lots of ball going to ground.

The Ravens scored again from a penalty using their big pack to carry the ball over the line but failing to convert. 10-7 to the opposition at half time.

The Steelers made a good start to the second half with Tom Edgar breaking through in the backline and scoring a good individual try. We failed to convert with the score now 10-12.

Again, the Ravens hit back with another try in the forwards from some sloppy defensive work from the Steelers taking them to 15-12. This was followed by another push over try five minutes later and the Ravens had extended their lead to 20-12. Mustering all they had in the tank the Steelers came alive in the final 20 minutes with some aggressive play up front resulting in a converted try by Sam Riggs. 20-19 the Ravens were leading with 5 minutes left on the clock. The Steelers threw the kitchen sink at the opposition in those final minutes with Edgar nearly breaking again but it was not to be. With a minute left to play the Ravens scored again with their big forwards but failed to convert. Final score 25-19.

The coaches were encouraged by the Steelers tenacity and never-say-die approach. The conditions were never going to favour our quick but light pack and attacking backline play. Still, the Steelers managed to score all their tries in the backs but will rue missing out on what was a winnable game.

Man of the Match: Naomasa Ogawa

A losing bonus point to the Steelers for being within 7 of the Ravens score."

KXS 4th XV (10) v Footscray (52)

A tough match for the KXS 4th team in difficult weather conditions and a side with a lot of experience. A fantastic first match with the Steelers for man of the match Thomas Sicot.

Next matches:

Friday 12th October
KXS 1st XV v East London - 7.30pm

Friday night under the lights. Join the boys for a derby match against East London in the Cup. K/O 7.30pm at East London Rugby Football Club, West Ham.

Updated 11:05 - 30 Aug 2019 by Simon Davis

Where next?

Match Reports Saturday 29th September 2018

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Schedule
Sat 6 Apr
a
League 14:15
a
League 14:15
a
Friendly 15:00
a
2nd XV Barking
Friendly 15:00
a
Friendly 15:00
Sat 13 Apr
h
League 15:00
h
League 15:00

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