2nd Team Match Reports
Match reports for the 2010 / 11 season
Kesteven 38 Vs Notts Moderns 24
Whilst the 1st team were settling a score with Worksop, the 2nd XV had their own record to set straight as they hosted high flying moderns, a team that had out played our second string at their ground early in the season.
A more experienced second team that we have seen recently resembling the all conquering glabe trotters of recent seasons confidently took to the pitch on a baking hot day perfect for running rugby. Intent in taking the game straight to Moderns, Kesteven were quickly on the offensive as good forward play resulted in Chris Jinks breaking from a ruck on the 22. The aggressive flanker had the awareness to spot Charles cutting a line on his inside and still with 3 defenders hanging on to him managed to skillfully offload for the winger to complete a good opening score. Harland added the extras and K's were 7-0 to the good within minutes.
Shortly afterwards a second try came as Kesteven were awarded a penalty 10 metres out and with their attacking heads on skipper Oakes tapped to the rampaging Midgeley who took everything with him as he bulldozed through the Moderns defense for the score. Harlands conversion narrowly failed. Moderns showed why they are so high in the league and came straight back with a try from their vocal scrum half after a quick tap, and they followed this with an excellent score in the corner which included an audacious through the legs pass from the full back. Both scores were converted by their talented kicker.
With Moderns now in the lead K's called upon the experienced heads of Pearsey, Midgeley, Jinks and Oakes to settle the game down and play the territory. K's forwards were dominant in the scrum thanks in the main to a great front row display from messers Arnold, Dolan and Dovey but the lineout was struggling to click. It was ironic therefore that the 3rd Kesteven score should come from a Moderns lineout which had been functioning particularly well. An overthrow saw the ball fall perfectly for Midgeley and he completed his brace in the simplest of ways. Harland converted. With half time looming Moderns completed the scoring with a penalty goal from far out.
The half time talk was focussed on taking play straight to Moderns to disrupt any thoughts they had of turning the game round. The team responded perfectly and second row Pert took the ball from the kick off and shocked the Moderns defence with his awesome pace for a 40metre plus run which took Kesteven deep into the Moderns 22. A period of sustained pressure saw a scrum awarded 10 metres out and with the Moderns defence expecting a crash ball to the human cannon ball Tony Burton, Simon Oakes was left an unnoposed trot to the line to open his account. This seemed to galvanise moderns who again made the most of slack Kesteven tackling for their final score of the game. Oakes replaced some of the tiring players in a bid to finish the game off in style. Kestevens next try saw a pick up from number 8 Pearsey off the scrum who ran awhat seemed to be an odd line before offloading to Burton who was unleashed through the moderns first line of defence and had the pace to run the 40 metres to score an impressive try. This now finished any hope Moderns had of turning the game round and Kesteven showed the dominance they had in the forwards to full effect as they executed a perfect maul which had control, precision and power all working in harmony. Perhaps the only shock was that the player to emerge from the maul for the try was Oakes who fittingly finished the scoring with his second try. Harland again converted.
This was an impressive victory against a very good side who have consistently performed throughout the season so Kesteven can feel rightly proud of what is the 50th victory for skipper Oakes in his 3 season tenure. Oakes again managed to get the best from the side and showed what this team are capable of with the blend of experience and youth available, and harked back to the glory days of the past 2 seasons. The front row of Arnold, Dolan and Dovey gave an almighty performance playing the full 80 minutes and totally dominating their opposition. Pert showed was a classy second row he is with Coghill doing a lot of the dirty work. It is no surprise that the back row of Midgeley, Pearsey and Jinks were at the heart of all that was good for Kesteven and often frustrated and amazed the Moderns team with their abilities to collectively steal and disrupt ball.
Jordan Hughes gave a controlled display at scrum half, with Oakes playing territory to perfection at 10. The centres of Burton and Harland kept their opposite numbers quiet and ran effetively in attack. The back 3 of Charles, Blackley and Jordan all made contributions to the game and were impressive as a defensive unit. The subs that came on had the perfect effect of putting the game out of reach of Moderns and showed the ultimate team performance.
Next week the side travels to Derby 3rds for what is expected as a tough encounter.
Team; Arnold, Dolan P, Dovey, Pert, Coghill, Midgeley, Jinks, Pearsey, Hughes, Oakes, Jordan R, Burton, Harland, Charles, Blackley Subs MacAllister, Price A, Jones, Windsor
Kesteven 12 vs Mansfield 26
A much changed second string took to the field for this pennant fixture on what was a perfect day for rugby with a good firm pitch and clement weather. With skipper Simon Oakes unavailable, Ian Bellamy took the honours for the game.
Despite a decent warm up Kesteven started rather tentatively and struggled to compete with the large mansfield side. barely 5 minutes had gone before Mansfield managed to muscle over for a try albeit with some discrepency over the grounding of the ball. This bouyed mansfield and after a mix up at a scrum the home scrum half took full advantage and strolled in for the try. Kesteven were trying hard to stay in the game, but mansfiled had their tales up and with some fairly slack tackling they were able to scor a third unanswered try.
The game had been quite forward dominated, giving Kestevens back line little sight of the ball but when they got their opportunity they seized it in style. A turnover in midfield saw Dovey and then Garlant get hold of the ball; the latter fed Rupert Jordan who instantly injected some pace and ghosted through the stranded Mansfield side. He made it quickly into the opposition 22 and just when it looked like Manfield may catch him Rob Windsor cut a perfect line back on the switch and Jordan threw a perfect off load out of the back of his hand for Windsor to race in for the score. Price added the conversion and Kesteven knew that if they got quick ball for the back line they could score points.
It wasn't to be that way for the remainder of the half and Mansfield bounced back with another try again after weak Kesteven tackling and they were good value for their 26-7 half time advantage.
The message at half time was to keep the tackles low, look after the ball and put in a much improved performance.
The second half started pretty much as a stale mate with problems at the scrum taking some time to sort. The majority of play was in the middle of the pitch with neither side having the ascedency. Kesteven did threaten to break out but Mansfield seemed to always have the extra man to stifle the attacks. It was however, kesteven who got the only score of the half when Rupert Jordan received the ball in open play he jinked and then put his foot on the gas to outpace the Mansfield cover defence for a classy try. The conversion dropped just short.
This seemed to flatten Mansfield, who were now doing anything they could to keep the ball out of the dangerous wingers hands and so kept the ball in their forwards in an attempt to see out the game. Kesteven did try to play rugby and were ever alert to the counter attacking opportunity, especially when a dropped ball in midfield was hacked on by Windsor who was unlucky to over run the follow up allowing mansfield to quell the attack. It was the wily Mansfield side therefore that managed to see out the game despite the fantastic second half kesteven performance.
Kesteven were probably their own worst enemies giving away soft tries in the first half and not playing with the style and aggression which ultimately game them their points. The second half performace should not be underestimated and rather than let Mansfield run away with the game, every man upped his effort to win that second period.
Up front it was hard work with Dovey, H and Dolan having parity with the opposition front row and Garlant and Hughes solid in the lineout. Hughes in particular put in some great try saving tackles. Jordan Smith played well coming back after injury and Mark Herbert was solid at number 8. Dave davies was solid at scrum half and Andy Price coped well at fly half. The centres of Blackley and Richard Dolan tackled very well with Ian Macallister at full back marshalling the defence. Windsor and Jordan on the wings looked classy in attach and deserved the tries which they both took extremely well. Special mention to Ian Bellamy who played a good 80 minutes and captained the side with confidence, repsect and assurity for a job very well done.
Next week the second string have West Bridgeford away for another tough pennant fixture.
Team: E Dovey, H, P Dolan, J Garlant, I Bellamy, J Hughes, J Smith, M Herbert, D Davies, A Price, R Jordan, R Dolan, D Blackley, R Windsor, I MacAllister Sub: I Charles
Kesteven 0 vs Lincoln 14
Lincoln brought a strong side over. After a scoreless first half Lincoln got the initial breakthrough just after thhe break when a quickly taken line out caught the home defence napping and Lincoln got over for a try which was converted. This led to a period of domination by Lincoln whose pack gottotally on top. They scored a second try with 15 minutes left and looked set to run away with the game but spirited Kesteven defence kept them out. K's found it difficult to make inroads with so little ball and it was to their credit that they kept the score at 14 - 0
Team was D Blackley; R Cooper, J Goodrich, C Jones, I Charles; M Parker, J Hughes; M Paton, D Davies, P Bennett, W Pert, M Herbert, T Miles, C Jinks, A pearsey Reps E Dovey, R Dolan, S Oakes, T Smith, J Cowley, A Price
Kesteven 31 vs Newark 19
The score suggests a close run match between two evenly matched sides. The truth is somewhat different!
The sun shone at Newark on a calm springlike day as the home side kicked off. Kesteven received and proceeded up the field with a series of close work pick and drives through the forwards. Newark did not see the ball in this spell and Jo Halusak finished it off with a try at the posts. Jones convertyed effortlessly to give the visitors an early 7 point lead. This set the pattern for the half as Kesteven totally dominated play. Dent and Lidstone controlled the game well from half back, varying the game well with good breaks and inteligent kicks. The scores eventually came. Lidstone made one superb break which just failed to bring a try but shortly after Dent took a quick tap penalty deep in his own half and fed Lidstone. This time the young fly half carried on the break himself to score at the posts and then just before the break Newark scrambled some ball out of their 22. Dent and Lidstone were trying to control the bouncing ball before Lidstone scooped up the ball to ghost through the home defence without a hand being laid on him to score again. Jones added both conversions to give Kesteven a 21 - 0 lead at the break.
K's started the second half again on the attack, keeping Newark pinned back for the most part. Simon Oakes rang the changes with Dovey coming on in the front row with Brown moving to the back row to replace Jinks. Oakes came on himself to replace Lidstone who retired injured and then Hamilton, Whatling and Rupert Jordan replaced Shileds, Goodrich and Windsor. The scoring dried up a little but the next try was technically the best of the lot. Dent broke from the base of a maul 30 metres out. Blackley came in from full back and fed Charles with a perfect pass for the wing to squeeze in at the corner and K's were coasting at 26 - 0 up with 15 minutes left.
Newark had shown little in attack apart from their lively scrum half but the conjured up a try when they intercepted a pass in the visitors 22 to go over. Straight from the kick off Mewark returned the favour as Coghill intercepted a pass in the Newark 22 and found Hamilton in support for the try. The soring flurry continued as Newark ran in 2 more converted tries before the end to bring up a final score of 19 - 31.
This was a very good performance from Kesteven with the archetypal combination of youth and experience. Pearsey led the side by example keeping his young charges well on track while Dent and Lidstone combined very well at half back. Dent's sniping runs kept the home defence on their toes while Lidstone seemde to find space out of nothing, Elsewhere Brown was effective as hooker in the first half and worked tirelessly while Bennett enjoyed his first outing for a couple of weeks. It was good to see Jinks back for his first outing of the season. In the 2nd row Coghill played well while Halusak was a powerful presence always going forward. Hughes covered a huge amount of ground and Dovey who came on in the second half had one tremendous tackle which knoced the Newark player back 5 metres.
In the backs Blackley gave a sound perfornance at full back, his last ditch tackling being particularly good while he set up Charles for his try with a perfect pass. Windsor ran well while centres Goodrich and Jones held the line well.
Team was D Blackley; I Charles, C Goodrich, C Jones, R Windsor; F Lidstone, M Dent; P Shileds, A Brown, P Bennett, M Coghill, J Halusak, C Jinks, J Hughes, A Pearsey Reps E Dovey, J Hamilton, E Whatling, S Oakes, R Jordan.
Kesteven 65 vs Southwell 7
Kesteven began this pennant fixture with a new front row and half back combination with Dovey, Hamilton and Purvis leading the scrum and Jordan Hughes switching to scrum half and Simon Oakes captaining for fly half.
With the announcement that Southwell did not have the regulation compliment of front row forwards Kesteven were disappointed to be dealing with uncontested scrums from the outset as they believed this was an area they would be on top.
Undeterred the black army second string started brightly despite a misjudgement at the kick off. There were less that 2 minutes on the clock when Hamilton ran a great line to streak over the line for the opening try. This was quickly followed up with a second try when Ian Charles emerged somehow off the side of a maul and raced down the unguarded blindside for an easy try.
Although not playing with any fluency Kesteven were happy with the start and relaxed into the game and it was not too long before the mercurial Hallam O'Brien was brought into the game from full back to jink inside for his first try of the game. Southwell were looking to use their forwards to punch holes in the Kesteven defensive line, but they were turned over regularly by a team eager to put points on the board and move up the league. Oakes was using his boot well to keep Southwell pinned back and before too long another gap appeared for O'Brien to again exploit. Using wing Blackley as a decoy he dummied the pass and raced through; Southwell tried hard to stop the agile full back however he was not to be denied and took 3 red men over the line with him.
Kesteven unfortunately lost Mark herbert who went off with a rib injury and was replaced by Stuart Bowles. The energetic second row made an immediate impact with Southwell slow to retreat after a penalty he took the ball from Oakes' quick tap and straightened his line to go in for the score. Bowles strength allowed him to wrestle with the southwell defence in order to get the touch down. With Southwell continually on the back foot K's were not finished in the half yet and Chris Jones put in a delightful grubba kick on the 22 metre line and followed up and collected his own kick to score a well deserved try. With the conversions Jones kicked the half time score stood at a comfortable 41-0.
Despite this captain Oakes was not entirely happy with the sides performace and demanded more effort in the second 40. Ian Macallister and Ben Betts came on as Charles and Oakes left the field. It was Southwell in fact who made an excellent start to the second period and perhaps because they were playing for pride they threw everything at the Kesteven defence. Wave after wave of Southwell attacks were repelled by the stout and proud defence, but the pressure eventually told and Southwell squeezed over for a very well deserved try which they converted.
Clearly rattled by this Kesteven looked to slow the game down and play the game through the driving of the forwards with Pearsey and Purvis carrying well and Jordan Smith sniping and tidying up loose play. O'Brien had now switched to fly half and although not his natural position he was next on the scoreline when bringing blinside wing Betts on a crash ball he somehow managed to pop a pass back to O'Brien who raced past the cover to complete a well deserved hat trick, (Hallam you owe a jug!).
Relieved to be back on the scoresheet, Kesteven again let Southwell come back at them however, theire next move fell apart and it was Betts who profited from the spilled ball and powered past the cover defence where despite his best efforts he managed to eventually complete the score! This seemed to knock the stuffing from Southwell and Kesteven were now playing out the game using dominant forward to rumble up the field. Following an difference of opinion as to the interpretation of the laws on the Southwell 5metre line K's were awarded a penalty and veteran Pearsey took the tap himself and bulldozed man and ball over the line for the final try of the match.
An impressive scorline for Kesteven who never really managed to play anything like their best game. Southwell have always proved to be tough opponents and so a win of the magnitutde cannot be overlooked. The pack were dominant from the off and always looked in control and were effective in turning over Southwell ball. The backs were lively and looking to play direct rugby with the stars of the show the easy running O'Brien and the points machine Chris Jones who ended the game with an impressive personal tally of 25points.
Team: Dovey, Hamilton, Purvis, Gordon, Herbert, Hardy-Gillings, Smith, Pearsey, Hughes, Oakes, Charles, Jones, Dolan, Blackley, O'Brien Subs: Macallister, Betts, Bowles, Coghill
Kesteven 27 vs Sleaford 10
A much changed and full Kesteven 2nd string took to the field expecting a tough match with the visitors looking to return the defeat handed to them at their ground in November.
K's began well showing early forward dominance with the experience of Pearsey and the power of Paton and Shields evident in the early scrums. It was the visitors who managed to register the first score, when a midfield move broke down and the Sleaford flanker gratefully accepted the kind bounce of the ball and ran in unopposed for the try. The conversion went wide.
Kesteven did not panic and quickly worked their way upfield and set up a lineout on the opposition 22 where they claimed their own ball and executed a perfect rolling maul for Brett Login to crash over the line. The conversion missed and the game was finely poised at 5-5.
Kestevn would usually have looked to push on from here and perhaps due to the lack of matches the patterns were struggling to click and again mistakes in midfield led to a good platform for Sleaford on the 5metre line. Good defence managed to keep Sleaford at bay but eventually they managed to work over for a good try. Stunned by this Kesteven upped the work rate and were throwing everything at the Sleaford line but all too often good try scoring opportunities were being wasted. It was from this pressure that Sleaford lost 2 players through injury which lead to uncontested scrums, not what the Kesteven pack wanted.
Knowing that a score before half time was crucial James goodrich picked a mazy line through the Sleaford 22 and drew the last defender to pop a pass to the waiting mark herbert who ran in the score, his third in two weeks. Chris Jones carressed the conversion through the posts for a 12-5 lead.
The half time message was to play simple rugby and draw the defenders in where the scores would then come and K's looked to dominate the second half straight from the kick off. With Sleaford a man short, Cameron Goodrich pulled on the black and red jersey for Sleaford to play opposite his brother James! Despite the skill and pace which Cameron gave the Sleaford back line, the Kesteven backs were now starting to click with Jones and Goodrich switching positions well and Richard Dolan running hard straight lines. It was a burst through on the 22 which should have brought the next Kesteven score however Dolan managed to lose the ball in the act of scoring.
Sleaford were now looking to push the game and from a dropped ball by the full back Rob Windsor was on hand to collect and a relieved Kesteven side put some daylight between themselves and the visitors. The challenge was to now finish the game off and after pounding the blind side James Goodrich switched open where the wide space was and fed a great pass to Ian Charles to dive in at the corner. Now playing with heads up and the old head of Dent used a trademark blindside dart to link with Charles who sprinted in for his second of the match. K's saw the match out for a deserved bonus point victory.
It was great to see the side playing with confidence and although the rustiness was there there were a number of positives to take. Paton played a great props game and made some rumbling runs sapping sleaford energy, James goodrich showed his class and Pearsey and Dent controlled the game from the base of the scrum with Blackley solid at full back. Next week it's Southwell at home, another side k's defeated away earlier in the season.
Team: Shields, Login, Paton, Gordon, Hardy-Gillings, Hughes, Herbert, Pearsey, Dent, Jones, Windsor, Goodrich J, Dolan, Charles, Blackley Subs Dovey, Pete, Oakes, Smith J, Goodrich C
Kesteven 14 vs Bakewell 60
It is not often that a report on a game with a scoreline as this can contain anything positive; but as difficult as the game proved to be yesterday it would be wrong to harp on about any missed tackles or wrong decisions and rather concentrate on the heart and guts shown by the guys who took to the field.
Due to a spot of bad luck kesteven were forced to travel to Bakewell with 13 players, and with the knowledge that the derbyshire side had elected not to travel to woodnook earlier in the season were determined to prove a point.
As it turns out the home side were generous enough to loan ks 1 player and it was most welcome with martin North still en route following a late call.
Ks won the toss and captain Login elected to play into the wind on the slightly boggy pitch. With the journey still in the legs Bakewell took advantage and managed to run in a fair few tries without much problem, using the 2 man advantage perfectly and hitting kesteven out wide. With Martin Norths arrival the black army were up to 14 but unfortunately this only lasted for a few mintes as Andy Price was forced to retire due to a back injury. The reshuffle saw Martin North covering both wings as Ian Charles moved to the 10 position. The remainder of the half saw more Bakewell posession and as well as Kesteven defended they were unable to stop the inevitable tries from coming. There were some good passages of kesteven play in this half in particular a sweet chip and gather from Ben Betts who again showed his strong running abilities and James Garlants domination at the lineout with Mark herbert taking every ball thrown to the tail and making superb yards. Special mention for Eddie Dovey (duffy) who put an immense hit on one Bakewell player.
The half time team talk saw Brett Login asking his side to play for fun and enjoy the game, starving the opposition was the key.
And so it was that with the wind Kesteven started to play some territory and with the 7 man scrum now dominant over their opposing 8 the confidence improved and a series of pick and drives and a clever grubba kick through from Daz Blackley gave K's a lineout on the 5 metre line. Garlant again rose majestic to take the ball and he was supported superbly by his forward and they rumbled and rolled to the line where Mark Herbert saw the gap and timed his dive perfectly to take man and ball over the line to score a deserved try. Brett Login slotted the conversion from wide out to complete the 7 point score.
It was a case of if it worked once it will work again as from the kick off the black army forwards drove into Bakewell putting them under pressure they surely were not expecting. Ks again managed to set up a driving maul 10 metres from the Bakewell line and showing superb control of the ball mark Herbert for the second time in the match found his way over the line for the try. Once again Brett Login managed to slot a tricky converion to give kesteven 14 points.
Bakewell could of course see what the visitors were doing and knew that if they had posession they just needed to find their backs who would exploit the space available, and probably not unsurprisingly they managed to do this a couple of times for some good tries.
It is testament to the intelligent use of the ball by the kesteven side that Bakewell were frustrated and only able to get posession from knock ons and turn overs as a result of refereeing decisions. Kesteven continued their forward dominance and again drove wave after wave at the Bakewell side but were held up over the line on more than one occasion. This game saw some outstanding individual and team efforts and the side that turned out can be proud despite their disappointment of the superb second half performance. It would be wrong not to single out 2 players in particular for praise. Firstly mark herbert who not only scored both the kesteven tries and was unlucky not to complete his hat trick but probably more impressively following a Bakewell break away ran down the young Bakewell full back who was amazed to see that it was the big number 8 who had cut him down at this moment of glory!
Secondly Eddie Dovey, who ran his heart out all game was held up over the line and put in one of the most audacious chips ever seen forcing the same full back already embarrassed by Mark Herbert to knock on as he saw the big prop looking to gether his own chip. This performance earned Eddie a well deserved man of the match.
Hopefully with a home game against Sleaford next week Kesteven can look to earn some league points with a victory.
Team was: Dovey E, Login B, Davies F, Garlant J, Arnold K, Herbert M, Davies D, Price A, Charles I, Betts B, Dolan R, North M, Blackley D
Kesteven 35 vs Sleaford 17
It was with the distict whiff of manure in the air that the Kesteven second string took to the field for this local derby and welcomed back Brett Login, Martyn Parker, Hallam O'Brian, Chris Jones and Mark Dent into what loccked on paper to be an experienced and exciting side.
The game began perfectly for the black army as the first Sleaford attack was intercepted by Hallam O'Brian who raced 70 metres for the easy try for Michael Coghill to slot the conversion. 0-7 up after 2 minutes Kesteven knew they would have to work much harder for more points.
Sleaford were next to score in fact and having disrupted Kesteven ball at the restarted combined their experienced forwards well with young elusive backs to score a good try in the right corner. Conversion missed, Kesteven were still in the lead 5-7.
Kesteven now upped their effort and when the Sleaford full back was taken back over his own line by Parker and Charles the resulting 5metre scrum saw Peasey and Dent combine for a text book blinside break off the scrum to leave Charles with an unopposed dive over the line. Coghill missed a very tricky conversion from wide out.
Kesteven should have built on this confident start, however, a lack of concentration from the restart again allowed Sleaford easy possesion and they were soon attacking the black army line. They scored a soft try from a tap penalty but thankfully for K's the Sleaford kicker was not having his best day.
A small skirmish between Dent and the abrasive Sleaford 8 left both time to think for 10 minutes and a stalemate ensued, however Coghill slotted a further penalty to make the half time score 10-15 to Kesteven.
A bright start to the second half saw a further penalty chance for Coghill who slotted a great goal to give Kesteven a more comfortable lead at 10-18; however the curse for the black army defence on the day was another poorly dealt with restart which resulted in Sleaford scoring under the posts to make it a 1 point game at 17-18.
Captain Oakes decided now was the time to put fresh legs on and this had an almost immediate effect as in broken play Chris Jones drew 2 defenders and fed Peasey who floated an inch perfect pass for winger Price to finish off really well in the corner. Coghill kicked an amazing touchline conversion to break Sleafords hearts and give some breathing space to the scoreline at 17-25. A final succesful penalty and yet another interception try from Hallam O'Brian as Sleaford threw caution to the wind saw the Kesteven second team close the game out for a hard fought victory.
A great win away at our local rivals with the team improving in every aspect as the game went on. A special mention to Michael Coghill for an almost perfect kicking display which kept the scoreboard ticking over at vital times and to Mark Dent who played a great 60 minutes in his return from injury. Next week sees the visit of West Bridgford for what will be another tough Pennant fixture.
Team: Davies F, Login B, Etherington P, Coghill M, Gordon J, Hughes J, Smith J, Peasey A, Dent M, Parker M, Price A, Dolan R, O'Brian H, Charles I, MacAllister I, Dolan P, Herbert M, Jones C, Oakes S
Kesteven 34 vs Mansfield 5
Kesteven took on old rivals Mansfield at Woodnook looking to keep their winning run on track.
They set out to play an open game usingthe experience of James Goodrich in the centre as the spearhed. This worked to good effect early on as James broke out from his own half on a mazy run. As he got to the oposition 22 he found Rob Windsor on the wing to take the scoring pass. Michael Coghill add the conversion as he did when Ian McAllister finished off another move sparked by Goodrich to score. Cpghill added a penalty and Mansfield scored a try of their own to make the half time score 17 - 5.
The second half was generally tighter for the first 20 minutes then Simon Oakes, leading the team from the sidelines used his substitutes. This was a telling advantage as Mansfield had only the bare 15 players. The subs had their effect as Whitaker raced in for 2 tries and Ian Charles finished off another fine break by Goodrich to score in the corner. Mansfield had the misfortune to lose their young fuul back with a serious injury following a strongtackle by Cowley. Richard Potter came back on to help the visitors.
A good win for Kesteven then. James Goodrich didn't feature on the score sheet but was responsible for 3 of the tries with his strong running, while in the pack Pete Dolan had a very good game showing up well with the ball in hand.
Team : I McAllister; R Potter, C Goodrich, J Goodrich, R Windsor; J Lamb, J Dingley; F Davies, P Dolan,M Paton, P Bennett, M Coghill. R Midgely,N Hardy-Gillings, A Brown,. Reps D Davies, A Whitaker, I Charles, E Whatling, J Cowley
Kesteven 14 vs Southwell 0
A number of first team call ups and unavailabilities meant a much changed side took on the challengs away at Southwell, however stand in skipper Andy Pearsey lead a strong team onto the pitch nevertheless.
Kesteven started strongly driving at the Southwell defence and were able to pressure the home side into infinging and soon took the lead from a well taken penalty struck by Michael Coghill. This was just the spur the away side were looking for and continued to try to press. It was Southwell however, who seemed to be winning the territorial battle as much of the play seemed to take place between the half way and the Kesteven 22. Midway through the first period captain Pearsey took an enforced 10 minute break as he was sin binned along with the Southwell 12 for over vigourous on the floor cuddling!!
This created a stale mate between the sides and when the players returned fly half Parker timed a great pass to the returning James Goodrich who split Southwell wide open and set off on a lung bursting 50metre run to the Southwell 5metre line where with his father supporting on one side and Tony Burton on the other he naturally chose Burton for the offload to score what would prove to be the desisive score of the game. Coghill converted the try to give Kesteven a well deserved 10-0 lead at half time.
The second team lost the influencial Parker to first team duties at half time leading to a reshuffle in the backline with Goodrich Junior moving to Fly half and Richard Dolan coming on at centre. Now playing up the slope the second team knew they would have to defend hard to earn the victory. With forward dominance in set piece now secure the back line looked to open the game with the adventurous Goodrich utilising each of his outside men to good effect. All to often good moves would be spoiled with a refereeing decision or a dropped pass. Coghill had 2 attempts at penalty goals one monster from over half way which just dropped short and a second easier chance which he slotted through the uprights to give the away side a 2 score cushion.
Southwell then had their best period of the match and managed to get over the Kesteven line only for Frankie Davies to disrupt the would be scorer into losing control of the ball. Richard Dolan was also called up to first team duties and with all the Kesteven subs now on the pitch they looked to play out the remaining minutes which was managed without looking in too much danger for a hard fought but very well deserved victory.
The absent Oakes can be very proud of his side well lead by Pearsey. Father and son Dave and Frankie Davies made a great front row partnership with dynamic hooker H. The second row of Bowles and Hardy-Gillings were energetic throughout and Jerry Goodrich on the back row made his experience count with the multi skilled kicking of Coghill proving the difference.
New comer Ed Watling provided a secure link at scrum half with Parker contolling the backline well. Burton was abrasive as usual and the returning James Goodrich showing the skills missed in his absent 4 years. The back 3 of Windsor, Potter and MacAllister didnt have much to go for in attack but never looked troubled in defence. The 4 subs of Blackley, Dolan, Price and Charles all made positive impacts when they joined the game.
Team was: Dave Davies, H, Frankie Davies, Stuart Bowles, Nick Hardy-Gilings, Michael Coghill, Jerry Goodrich, Andy Pearsey, Ed Watling, Martyn Parker, Rich Potter, Tony Burton, James Goodrich, Rob Windsor, Ian MacAllister Subs: Richard Dolan, Daz Blackley, Andy Price, Ian Charles
Kesteven 29 vs Newark 24
The seconds had their first home Pennant Game on Saturday when Newark 3rds were the visitors. The threatened rain did not appear and the teams ran out to pleasant autumn sunshine.
The early stages of the match held no promise for the thrilling encounter we were going to see. Newark had firtst use of the wind and kept Kesteven pinned in their own half for much of the game. They used the long kick to the corner to good effect but the K's defence held out with some fine first time tackling. Newcomer Rick Potter was kept busy at full back. As half time loomed Newark at last broke through with a try following a break in the forwards. They added a second a minute later when the wind held up a K's defensive clearance and Newark stormed through catching K's offside. The visitors moved the ball quickly to exploit the disorganised K's defence to score. This time the conversion was good and Newark led 12 - 0. They must have thought they would turnround with ah ealthy lead but K's had other ideas. First Brister took a qucik tap penalty to go over then Pearsey finished off a move with a try which Coghill converted to tie the scores at the break.
K's had the wind behind then in the second half but any thoughts that they would have it easy were soon dispelled when Neark regained the lead with another converted try. This was he start of a see-saw. First Rob Windsor forced his way over for a try then Dom Brister stormed over with three defenders hanging on to him. His conversion took K's back into the lead by 22 - 19. Newark weren't done and another spell of pressure yielded a free kick from a scrum. Their scrum half reacted quickly and was over the line before K's realised what was happening. !0 minutes left and K's behind by 2 points - seemed like a familliar pattern at Woodnook this season. This time however K's had the last word. One final push into the Newark 22 saw Paul Shields get possession five yards out. He needed no second invitation to go over at the posts. Brister's conversion saw K's win a good game by 29 - 24.
This was fine performance by K's who showed that their will to win was very much restored. In the backs Potter played well at full back while Brister ran the game well from fly alf. Hughes had another fine game at scrum half with his non stop energy.
In the pack Midgley played with great spirit always looking to take the game to Newark while Pearsey led by example.
Team: R Potter; I Charles, R Dolan, T Burton, R Windsor; D Brister, J Hughes; P Etherington, P Dolan, P Shields, W Pert, M Coghill, J Smith, R Midgley, A Pearsey. Reps I McAllister, N Turner, M Paton, N Hardy-Gillings,
Kesteven 10 vs Lincoln 24
The new league campaign for the 2nd XV kicked off with a disappointing loss to the winners of this higher pennant league Lincoln. With new blood in the side together with some of last seasons successful side Simon Oakes had high hopes for a hard fought victory away at Lincoln.
Kesteven started the match brightly enough and looked to have the advantage in the forwards through the rucks and at the scrum and indeed used this advantage to gain excellent early territory. Early season rust can be escused for some poor decision making meaning chances were wasted however Nathan Turner soon opened the scoring with a short side try having jinked and barged through 4 opposition players which was converted by Martyn Parker.
This should have been the catalyst for the now confident side to run in a few tries however chance after chance went begging and this was compounded as young centre Cameron Goodrich unfortunately lost the ball forward in the act of scoring.
Kesteven did end the half with a further score as Parker slotted a penalty to give the away side a 0-10 half time lead.
Skipper Oakes pointed out at half time that the tackling was way below the standard expected and if this improved the victory was there for the taking.
His words however seemed to fall on deaf ears as woeful tackling enabled the Lincoln 10 to run from his own 22 to score an easy try soon after the restart. This would usually spur the second team into life but the attack was now faltering also and time and time again loose passes were picked up by the opposition and poor decision making meant that good position was wasted. Lincoln continued to take advantage of a terrible defensive second half and were able to run in a further 3 tries converting 2 to win the second half 24-0 and the game 24-10.
Not the best start to the league campaign but Kesteven must ensure that they do not play that poorly again for the remainder of the season. The positives are that despite the poor performance the team showed that with better decision making and finishing they could have easily defeated the league champions from last season.
There were some stand out performances from Coghill, Login and Hughes in the pack and Dingley at scrum half played well with Nathan Turner finishing his try with calmness and accuracy and doing his best to keep Lincoln at bay from full back.
Next week the 2's look for a much improved display against Notts Casuals at home, please let Simon know that you are available!
Team: Turner N, Williams D, Goodrich C, Parker M, Charle I, Lamb J, Dingley J, Smith G, Midgeley R, Hughes J, Gordon J, Coghill M, Etherington P, Login B, Shields P Subs: Price A, Paton M, Burton A, Cowley J, Pearsey A,