KCS Old Boys

A match straight after the festive period is always going to be a tough encounter, especially with the game being moved onto 4G due to a waterlogged pitch. Bad weather and low numbers meant training in the week hadn’t been ideal, however, the boys went into the game still high from the last two winning results, knowing how we can play and the patterns now becoming more natural.

A slight change to the initial starting team line up as Connor couldn’t resist going the long way to see some diggers in action and found himself stuck in standstill traffic. So Dave Bridges starts!

The first kick off was received well by Guy Collins, some hard running from the forwards, and relentless tackling by the KCS team and G’s were awarded an early penalty which Oli kicked for good field advantage. A lineout just inside the 22m of KCS and a splendid driving maul had Grinstead sniffing the whitewash. A brave attempt by Sprids was repelled just short, but, none other than Aaron 'precious' Bozcek, finally got his meat pie after a prolonged dry spell!

G’s tails were well and truly up, but we knew the KCS team would come back hard, and hard they came. A sloppy retake by Grinstead resulted in a scrappy attempt to clear the lines. However, somehow, the KCS prop found himself in the back field one on one with Oli who was trying to get the ball cleared. The charge down was executed and the prop easily placed the ball over the line. It was both heartbreaking and jaw dropping at the same time - KCS back in the game.

Gathering behind the posts, knowing it was a freak event. We needed to pick ourselves back up and go again.

KCS with a penalty for hands in the ruck in front of the sticks, slotted 3 points, then minutes later a similar event at the other end resulted in Grinstead having an opportunity and of course the left boot of Oli didn’t let us down!

KCS much more familiar with the pitch played the field to their advantage with their forwards running hard, making tremendous ground after every tackle, soon broke through again to find themselves under the Grinstead sticks again.

Another penalty to G’s and Oli gobbled up the three points on offer.

The game settled once more, both sides tussling for control, both sets of players, forwards and backs, running hard and hitting hard with Grinstead eventually earning another opportunity from a scrum. Coach, Sandy, having pushed the boys hard on the set piece attacking plays, was smiling cheek to cheek from a superb set piece executed to perfection. Aaron picking at 8 running a hard line and offloading to Dan Poulton (Dan found himself playing 9 as Sprids’ foot needed x-raying after his early lunge). Dan straightening his man up and released to Ali Moffat, who had a clean run down the sideline to touch down for possibly the second best try of the season and meant G’s went in at the half 18 - 15 up!!

This would be the last points for G’s for a little while as KCS found another gear at the re-start, and Grinstead just failed to match it, two trys unanswered and the game felt all but over. Or was it?

Connor 'biscuit back' Leggat, having eventually showed up, and Colm Geraghty coming off the bench, gave much needed revitalisation to the team with some good phase play and much rehearsed patterns. It was Luke Maker’s turn to show us what he could do on the wing. With work to do, he wiggled his way around the last man and magnificently dotted the ball down, the KCS players doing their best to convince the ref he had been held up in vain! Another great team try.

Now the final, bonus point, try for G’s had a lot of chatter about how it came about. The word in the changing room, was that Colm had noticed a flaw in KCS defence while sitting on the bench, and sought out Oli to make him aware! Having recruited Oli, the next phase of attack, and a perfectly dinked ball into the backfield, saw Colm dotting down for a great try to give G’s hope.

It was sadly not to be. A lapse in defensive duties and some dubious tackling and rucking, saw KCS return with two final unanswered tries to take the spoils.

A deflating loss, however some great patterns to be taken away. We come away with a point which keeps us moving forward in the right direction.

Oli Billings finally awarded the MoM jacket, so i can stop hearing him moan about it for a few weeks.

Ryland Thomas with DoD for not knowing his colours.

A captains mention to Guy Collins, who played out of his skin this week and produced an unbelievable performance all afternoon.