3rd Team Match Reports
Match reports for the 2010 / 11 season
Kesteven 10 Vs Newark 15
On a damp and misty afternoon Kesteven were delighted to get a game for their 3rd XV and were very grateful to Newark for sending a strong side down to Woodnook.
Kesteven had a mixed side of youth and experience, giving three of teh successful 17 year olds a frist taste of senior rugby.
Conditions had an effect on the play with the ball becoming very slippy and making and decent handling difficult. Neither side were able to keep the ball long enough but they did try to play open rugby.
Newark were first to get points on the board with a penalty after 20 minutes as the Kesteven forwards were guilty of handling the ball in the ruck. This reverse spurred the home side on and they were able to build up a period of pressure. They were rewarded as the forwards drove towards the line. Mark Herbert made inroads and Joe Cooke grabbed the ball to score.
Kesteven looked to be holding their lead to the break. Newark though raised teh pace. After a kick ahead Kesteven were judged to have committed a late tackle, leading to a penalty in front of the posts. Kesteven were expecting the goal kick but Newark tapped and ran with their big prop running in unopposed. The conversion clipped the post and went over. Worse was to follow when Kesteven failed to clear a high kick and Newark snapped up possession to score a try in the corner. This gave them a 15 - 5 lead at half time.
Kesteven turned round with the slight breeze in their favour and enjoyed the better of the second half. The forward exchanges were pretty even and K's tried to move the ball and vary their play. They scored one try and what a good try it was. Young Tom Wire at scrum half got the ball from the scrum 30 metres out and put in wonderful kick to the corner for Danny Williams to chase. The wing won the race to touch down to score. That completed the scoring and Newark held on to win 15 - 10.
This was an encouraging performance for K's. Keiran Arnold led the side well withsome astute captaincy to get the best out of his resources. Eddie Dovey put in a power of work in the scrum while Mark Herbert is enjoying his return to the game. Joe Cooke made an impressive debut taking his try very well.
In the backs Rupert Jordan marshalled his young charges very well. He was well supported by Ryan Crowson and Danny Williams on the wing while Tom Wire filling in at scrum half did very well on his senior debut. Paul White and Tony Smith replaced Jon Perry and Eddie Dovey at half time, but Dovey was able to come on for the last 20 minutes as Arnold retired with a leg injury.
Team : D Blackley; D Williams, R Jordan, R Dolan, R Crowson; A Price, T Wire; E Dovey, P Dolan, K Arnold, C King, J Cooke, J Perry, J Garlant and M Herbert Reps T Smith and P White,
Kesteven 17 vs Creswell 28
On a typical brisk, but dry, Winter's afternoon, Kesteven's 3rd team made the hour long journey to Creswell Crusaders in the Nott's Pennant League, and with only one point and one league position separating the two clubs, the Game was set to be a close encounter.
Creswell started off the better by utilising some great offensive running from their centres, and the pressure soon told, as despite some very good tackling from Kesteven, Creswell managed to get the ball out wide to score the 1st try and conversion after 5 minutes. Creswell kept up the pace and was only denied scoring further points when Kesteven's backs defended like demons. However, the pressure was too much, and after some fine offensive running again by Creswell, they managed to run through a wall of K's players to score their second try of the half. This too was converted.
Kesteven responded with resilience and tenacity that spoke volumes for their combined character. Knowing that they were up against a bigger back line, not once did the Kesteven player's heads drop, and after some encouraging forward play which saw some good ball retention, Kesteven knew that they were back in the game. It was now Creswell's turn to defend, and defend they did, but this only encouraged Kesteven to push on, and after some excellent support play in the mauls by the forwards, Ben Betts, who was playing at Hooker for the very first time, managed to scramble over the line to reduce the deficit.
"Slovak" Jo was near to scoring just shortly after Betts' try, but was adjudged to have knocked on in his attempt to place the ball on the ground. The end of the first half soon came without further incident and Creswell lead Kesteven 14-5.
The second half kicked off and Creswell looked the sharper of the two teams after the break. Creswell again utilised some good solo running from their backs, ably supported by their wings. They found their way over Kesteven's try line to score once more. But again, Kesteven refused to let their heads drop and just like before, came back at Creswell with determination, which lead to Daz Blackley scoring Kesteven's 2nd try of the game after some good interchange with Ben Betts, and support play from the nearby Kesteven players.
It was around this time, after some excellent rucking, mauling and scrummaging throughout the game, that a nasty accident occurred to Tight Head Prop, Paul Ethrington. Prone on the floor after yet another strong scrum, Paul was obviously in pain. When inspected by a first aider, it was diagnosed as a dislocation of the knee (possibly even a fracture) and that was the end of his game. All of which happened on his birthday! There was a considerable amount of stoppage time due to the accident, in which time Kesteven reshuffled the pack with Mark Herbert coming into the vacant front row position.
Probably spurred on by the injury, Kesteven seemed to up their game a little, and the game became a lot more open, with both sides creating opportunities, but making silly handling errors. However, "Slovak" Jo made up for his earlier disallowed try by running through, around and over 6 Creswell players, during a rampaging run of over 40 yards to score a magnificent try. Andy Price scored the conversion to make the score 21-17 in Creswell's favour.
With both sides starting to tire visibly, and not wanting to lose possession of the ball, Kesteven gave a penalty away for not releasing the ball when tackled. Creswell showed that they were more aware of the situation than Kesteven and took a quick tap-kick and ran the ball through a retreating Kesteven back line and scored their 4th try of the day. As with their previous 3 kicks, the try was converted. With the score at 28-17 to Creswell the game then played out to the finish with neither side scoring any more points.
A lot of positives can be taken from this game today from a Kesteven point of view. Yes, we lost, but not once did our heads drop. To a man, Kesteven tackled their hearts out, and played as a unit for the vast majority of the game. We won almost every scrum, held our own in the line outs and rucked our way out of trouble on numerous occasions. Special mentions are deserved for: Andy Price, who dominated, along with Rob Windsor, Rich Dolan and Stuart Orme, in both offence and defence. Ben Betts, playing as Hooker for the very first time, stood up to the challenge and made the position his own. Mark Herbert, who started the game at Number 8, and ended it as Prop had some immense runs with the ball in hand. "Slovak" Jo was strong in everything he did throughout the game and thoroughly deserved his try. But for me, the most special of mentions has to go to young Danny Williams for being dumped tackled out into touch by a guy twice his size and weight, only to get up straight away, not in any kind of pain whatsoever. The tackler, however, had to leave play, shortly after, due to an injury to his hand!!!
Team : Daz Blackley, Rob Windsor, Rich Dolan, Stuart Orme, Danny Williams, Andy Price, Ed Whatling, Eddie Dovey (c), Ben Betts, Paul Ethrington, "Slovak" Jo, James Garlant, Jordan Smith, Adam Tudor, Mark Herbert. Reps: Rich Potter.
Kesteven 41 vs Newark 23
With the Kesteven 3rd team looking for their first win of the season, local rivals Newark (in the form of their 4th team) provided the opposition in this pennant 4 match. Kesteven welcomed back Kieran Gallacher, and Mark Whittington and welcomed Ed Whatling making his debut in the black Kesteven shirt.
With the return from long term injury of James Goodrich the Kesteven side was able to field its first father and two sons line up of the season, with father Jerry and younger brother Cameron lining up alongside James.
ith Newark opting to play with their backs to the sun, Kesteven kicked off. Early exchanges saw Kesteven edging ahead in the scrums and rucks while Newark held the ascendancy in the lineout with honours even in the mauls. Opting to turn possession into points Newark opened the scoring with a penalty. The Kesteven backs now provided the foil to the forwards sabre, with Aaron Whittaker breaking from his own half for the first try of the game - Andy Price then calmly kicked the conversion. Newark moved play into the Kesteven half but were unable to add to their score, before Kesteven broke again and Price went over in the corner, however he was unable to convert his own try Some strong forward play then ensued resulting in front row forward Eddie Dovey crashing over, through a wall of Newark players, for Kesteven's third. Price successfully kicked the conversion.
Newark came right back at Kesteven and were duly rewarded scoring again with a penalty when the hosts were deemed to have infringed at the ruck. Play then returned into the Newark half and Kesteven were able to stretch their lead with penalty of their own. With halftime approaching Newark played some of their best rugby and although they missed with a penalty attempt they managed to cross for their second but unconverted try. Kesteven responded but before they were able to capitalize on some good forward play the whistle sounded for halftime.
Halftime Score
Kesteven III 21 – Newark IV 11
Changes at half time saw James Goodrich move to centre whilst Turner came on at flyhalf, with Cameron Goodrich coming off. Newark came out the stronger at the start of the second half and their determined play resulted in a well taken try. Kesteven worked the ball back into the Newark half before Gallacher fly kicked a loose ball ahead then won the race to touch down giving Kesteven a try bonus point. Yet again Price converted.
The game see-sawed backs into Newark’s favour as Kesteven were forced to defend their line. A series of penalties moved the visitors closer until they were finally able to break the defence, cleverly using the referee as a shield, and crossed for the try followed by the conversion. James Goodrich then put the game out of reach of the visitors with a fine breakaway try which Turner converted. With the game entering its final quarter a flurry of replacements saw Shaun Smith, Tyrone Miles, Justin Dingley and Will Price on. Around this time Tony Smith was forced off with a blood injury allowing Cowley on as a blood substitute. Andy Price then finished the days scoring with his second try of the day again in the corner. Turner found himself taking an early bath when, within the final ten minutes, the referee took exception to the questioning of his interpretation of “No 8 pick up” and showed him a yellow card. Alas for the visitors they were unable to benefit fro the reduced Kesteven numbers before the final whistle.
Final Score
Kesteven III 41 – Newark IV 23
Team: Smith T, Davies, Dovey, Arnold (Capt) Hayward, Tudor, Goodrich J (Snr), Whittington, Whatling, Goodrich J (Jnr), Gallacher, Goodrich C, Whittaker, Price A, Blackley. Replacements. Turner, Smith S, Miles, Dingley J, Price W. Blood Rep (front row) Cowley
Overall a pleasing result against a strong Newark 4th side. Youth in the backs and a solid mature scrum certainly won the day. Next week sees the 3rd XV away to Southwell 3rds
Kesteven 31 vs Newark 19
This was an amazing game of rugby which the visiting medical students won by just 2 points. The lead change dhands so many times that your reporter was quite dizzy keeping track!
The GEMS kicked off into the wind and had most of the early territory but didn't get the breakthrough. Even at this early stage the Kesteven forwards were getting on top and provided enough resistance to gain ground. After 10 minutes they established a platform on the GEMS 22 and from this Doug Hayward, reverting to his old position in the back row forced his way over for the try. Blackley converted to give the home side a 7 - 0 lead. This didn't last long as the lively GEMS backs worked the ball through the hands for a good try close in. The conversion levelled the score.
The game opened up now with both set of backs finding space outside. Rupert Jordan ran in two tries to take the lead to 17 - 7 but GEMS added 2 tries of their own before the break. One was converted to give them a 19 - 17 lead at the break.
The second hald followed a simillar pattern as both sides slugged it out and exchanged scores on a regular basis. 17 year old Grant Ward came on at half time and had an immediate impact finishing off a move down the right for a try. He added another shortly after before Gems the scored a try and penalty to go ahead again by 29 - 27 with the game entering its final stage. Ward completed his hat trick by sprinting down the left and having the good sense to go behind the posts to touch down. He added the conversion to establisha 5 point lead but Kesteven hearts were broken when the visting stand off inercepted a pass on half way to run in for a try which he converted to win the game by those 2 points. Final score was Kesteven 3rds 34 Nottingham GEMS 36
Team: D Blackley; M North, R Jordan, P Jordan, I McAllister; J Goodrich, D Davies; K Arnold, P Dolan, E Dovey, J Garlant, F Davies. R Dolan, A Tudor D Hayward, S Odams, G Ward, T Miles and T Smith
Kesteven 0 vs Paviors 50
New skipper Keiran Arnold got a squad of 20 together, mixing youth and experience in the best possible way. There was an age gap of 43 years between the oldest and youngest players in the team.
K's initial kick off failed to go 10 metres, but the home team immediately put pressure on and won yje resulting scrum against the head. This led to a spell camped in the Paviors 22 but they were unable to score. The first possession the visitors got was immediately run out from near their own line and finished with a try at the other end after 10 minutes. This was converted and set the tone for the rest of the half. K's had some good spells of possession but Paviors used their's better to run in a further 3 tries. All were converted by a very efficient fly half, who also added a penalty to make the half time score 31 - 0.
K's had the misfortune to lose Dent and Dovey to injury, and they made other changes bringing on Tyrone Miles and Tony Smith in the pack. Paviors added a further try before Kesteven had their best spell in the game. The pack with Miles particularly effective took the visitirs on and created some good ground but they were unable to score. Paviors again broke away to score again, andcould have added another but for some finedefending by Hughes who tracked back to good effect to stop another certain try. K's only scoring chance came when Price just pushed a penalty past the post, before Paviors finished the game with a further converted try to bring up the half century.
It was a typical opening season performance with a side playnig together for the first time and they will improve. Jordan Hughes covered every balde of grass as he battled to stem the tide. He also was K's most promising attacker. Miles wasan impressive presence in the second half and veteran Dave Davies did what he does best in tightening up the side.
Squad: D Blackley; A Price, S Orme, R Windsor, M North; M Dent, J Hughes; K Arnold, J Hamilton, E Dovey, J Gordon F Davies, A Freemantle, P White, P Shields, D Davies, T Miles, T Smith, G Purvis, R Dolan