Played Positively, but Beaten by a Better Side

Old Saltleians 45 KC 5
KC started this game well and their positive manner boded well for the future. KC opened the scoring with a three-quarter move culminating with a sharp break by George Lloyd Jones and finished by Ryan Tiene. Old Salts got on the scoresheet with a well kicked penalty. Nearer the end of the half Old Salts were able to cut through from just inside the KC half and beat the defence and get round behind the KC defence to score a converted try. KC had played well in this first period and deserved to be close and at half-time Old Salts were leading 10-5. Tackling by Hakeen Hussain and Harvey Kelsall were highlights in the KC defence; notably when Harvey tackled opponents they stayed tackled.
The second half was more difficult for KC as Old Salts began to come into the game more, their first score was a powerful attack by their centre who with a straight run scored under the posts, making for an easy conversion. Whilst in the first half KC were holding their own in the set piece this changed in the second half. The next try for Old Salts was a push over close to the KC posts, then missing the conversion. At this point KC were reduced to thirteen men due to injuries which left gaps in their defence. KC restored to full strength were able to play better and were recovering their shape. KC defence was holding out as forwards worked well in the loose and special mention of Beau Archer winning his line-out ball with well-timed jumps. Other players of mention would be George Tildesley and Hakeen Hussain in attack. The next Salts score came from a weaving run cutting through the defence to the posts, this was converted.
KC forwards were working well however Old Salts were controlling possession which restricted the opportunities for the KC three-quarters to make significant in-roads . On the day the more powerful Old Salts team played better than KC, nevertheless the KC team did not lose heart and continued to play positively.

Bob Davies