Kesteven U13s vs. Market Rasen

Pre-Match
Following a 7s tournament on the Saturday, K's were without several players due to injury for the friendly with Market Rasen, adding to the injuries already in the squad. Happily, we were able to welcome back Zach, fresh from conquering the swimming world, and Tom H, fresh from conquering the triathlon/cross country world. Part-time head coach Simon was also absent due to reasons I can't quite remember, even though he may have mentioned it in passing!

First Half
Market Rasen started strongly, applying good pressure which was repelled by good tackling, notably from mullet-sporting Alfie O.

K's absorbed the pressure for several minutes, unable to get their hands on the ball. Finally, K's gained possession and strong runs from Joe D, Oscar, Ollie Martin and Callum pushed MR back into their own half. K's then quickly spread the ball wide for Nathan to run in a great opening try from just inside the MR half, 5-0.

Following a couple of missed tackles in the midfield against a strong running Market Rasen, Nathan recovered the ball well to secure possession. Moments later, a loose ball was recovered by Josh G at full-back who went on a trade-mark strong run from his own half to score K's second try of the match, 10-0. From the restart, Oscar collected the ball and run it back over the try-line for a third, 15-0.

Strong work in the middle from Joe D held up the ball in the tackle, enabling K's to turnover the ball. Minutes later Joe D then went on a strong run to advance K's position again.

Comedy moment of the match then followed as mullet-boy decided to battle Oscar for the worst kick of the season, slicing an attempted chip and chase into touch! Not to be outdone, Mason then tried a crossfield kick, misjudged the strong wind and ended up kicking the ball backwards!

Undeterred, Mason's next crossfield kick was gathered and tidied by mullet-boy who offloaded to Oscar to touchdown, 20-0.

Market Rasen then registered a score, with their strong, pacy winger marauding down the right-hand side, shrugging off a tackle and getting over the line to touchdown and make the score 20-5. From the restart, K's naively then kicked straight to the same player - fortunately, it didn't cost us this time.

There was just time for one final score before half time. K's advanced deep into the MR 22 and Joe D drove over from close range to leave the score 25-5.

Second Half
The second half began momentously with a real season-first - after 14 straight games of failing to do so, K's caught the kick-off! Well done Henry! As if to underline the importance of doing so, K's then rucked over and spread the ball to mullet-boy, whose lovely delayed pass played-in Oscar to score with another strong run, 30-5. The same pattern was repeated shortly after, with mullet-boy delaying another pass to draw the man and again play in Oscar who scored again, 35-5. Surely Oscar will be donating his pocket money to mullet-boy this week as a thank you! Perhaps he'll then be able to finish off the haircut!

They say lightning doesn't strike twice, but K's then caught another kick - this time from a Market Rasen clearance which Will H gathered nicely to run in another score, 40-5. And then it happened again! Alfred this time with a gorgeous catch from a Market Rasen clearance kick - he then slotted an absolutely filthy grubber kick into the corner leaving a rampant Oscar the easy task of touching down again, 45-5!

The final score of the match came from a well-worked scissor movement between Mason and Oscar, who ran in his sixth try of the game.

Post Match
It was great to welcome back Zach and Tom H and there were notable performances from Nathan, Josh G and Oscar. Man of the match for his strong tackling and delightful passing to set up multiple tries went to Alfie O. Perhaps the mullet made all the difference?! Well played Alfie!