Semi final

The Under 16's Travelled to Southwell on the warmest day of the year so far for what was to be an outstanding display of running, hard hitting, defence and attacking play from both sides, treating the 200 or so spectators to a nail biting scorcher of a match.

Within 5 mins Kesteven had allowed a three man overlap on the Southwell 22, the winger exploited the space with blistering pace finally being brought down 60 meters later, quick recycling with the play moving right to left down the Southwell backline, again exploiting an overlap the left wing flew in unopposed for the score, conversion missed.

5-0 after 5 mins Kesteven were rattled. Straight from the Kick off Kesteven decided to kick straight to the Southwell fullback - with nitrous oxide in his shoes and an equally fast no11 outside him the ball was run back with purpose only for kesteven to stop the attack illegally and a penalty ensued - 3 points kicked, K's were now 8-0 down.

K's Kicked off and it was more of the same except the forwards went at it collision after collision as Kesteven went at Southwell as hard as they could trying to repel waves of attack but the waves kept coming a few unlucky calls and uncharacteristic mistakes from the Southwell back line let K's off the hook. Tackle after tackle from both sides as the ball was turned over and back again with regular occurrence and K's won a penalty, a kick to the corner for a banker catch and drive 5 meters out but Southwell's pack held firm, the ball lost and they cleared their lines..

Scrums fared no better with K's usually dominant scrum being held, making it difficult to launch any type of attack from set piece...however on 20 mins Luca broke from the base with Toby Watchorn in scrumhalf support. Luca fed Toby who fired a dart to Alex Dickenson at 10 who then launched a laser guided 30 meter pass to Jack Hall running wide on the arc, splitting the defence. Jack was brought down but not before Olly got there in support and secured the ball for Toby to move it to a marauding pod of forwards..ruck, pod,ruck,pod ...Charlie Stephenson pick and go ...Try! Conversion missed 5-8.

30 mins in, score.... Another backs try for southwell conversion missed 5-13, we just needed to get to half time for a regroup. Riley goes down with an ankle injury Josh replaces him at outside centre still suffering from a sore shoulder. Southwell Kicked off, K's pack caught and set up a ruck midfield... 9 and 10, Toby and Alex combined again (with Jack Hall off the pitch also injured and Harry on) fed the ball to Harry who released Josh in space on the Southwell 10 and we held our breath as he scorched to the line...Try it's now 10-13 Conversion missed.

Half time, water on, more water and more water as the boys were getting to grips with the pace and the physicality of a game that had a final beckoning...nobody wanted to lose.

The first half was brutal with both teams fully committed with controlled aggression, the pace fast and furious but played in the spirit of rugby..not one bad word, not one cheap shot from either team hard sporting gentlemen rugby without compromise. Fantastic to watch for the neutral and travelling spectators but nerves aplenty for both sides coaches the score couldn't have been any closer with 35mins left to play.

Josh had taken a knock to the head as he scored the try and was taken off as a precaution. Oscar HG and Alfie off along with Jack Hall and Riley both injured, Oscar E, Ronan and Sam we had now used all replacements with 3 players probably unable to return due to injuries.

The next 35 mins would be a test of character, fitness and communication if we were going to win.

K’s Kick off ....Straight down the throat of the dangerous Southwell full back we had not learnt our lesson but with a backline rejigged and Luca at inside centre, Harry at outside (both number 8’s) solid defence was going to be key – “boom” the Luca vs fullback was seismic, both players stayed upright, maul the defensive pressure began...the aim to keep Southwell pinned in their own half as they tried to play their way out. A combination of Taylor, Oscar E and Ronan continued to disrupt the Southwell backline for Luca to pinch the ball and drive straight through their defence for a score 15-13....conversion missed.

K’s kicked off and again it went straight to the Southwells backs, who ran it out.... some missed tackles and before K’s knew it they were in our 22. For 10 mins it was ruck, maul, scrum, lineout...we couldn’t get the ball from the Southwell backs and forwards as they combined with eachother pummelling our line and eventually crossing for the score 15-18 conversion missed.

This was it..... we had 10 mins to make a final. Oscar HG having received copious amounts of Oxygen and water came back onto the field in an attempt to shore up the scrum (as Luca was now in the backs) unfortunately Jack Norsworthy had to be sacrificed with Shawn moving to hooker to accommodate.

A Scrum on the Southwell 10 meter line... our put in resulted in a hook against the head and their back line were off again, Luca and Harry trying to hold them out with Charlie Bailey and Charlie S chasing them down and defending as if their lives depended on it.
Turnover.... Harry was away attacking down the left with Sam “Dancing Feet” Morgan in support – Harry released Sam who was eventually brought down, but the defender dived over the top - penalty. K’s kicked for the corner – banker catch and drive 5 meters out but the Southwell defence held firm, the Kesteven pack were driving too high and upright resulting in a penalty against them for sealing the ball off when the maul eventually came to ground.

The Grandstand Finish - 5 mins to go Southwell cleared their lines but straight into Zephs hands who looked up “fed “Oscar HG a pass who rampaged 10 meters up the pitch taking 4 defensive tacklers with him...as he went down he thought he heard a call of “outside” so slung the ball to his left...did the ball bounce forward or back??? We play to the whistle...no whistle – Dancing feet tapped the ball forward with his knee, flicked it up with his boot caught the ball, stepped 1,stepped 2, stepped 3, stepped 4 defenders “Shane Williams” Style and raced in under the posts, treating his team to the Airplane celebration (we’ll let you off this time!). Conversion Scored 22-18 – 2 mins to go.

K’s received the ball and immediately kicked it away to Southwell for them to have one last attack. Up came their full back with the lightning winger on his outside, Zeph and Sam stayed strong , tackled him and slowed the Southwell support until the cavalry arrived. Bobby nipped in pinched the ball and passed to Harry and off we went again charging back into the Southwell half. Pick and go pick and go. Tackle, knock on and the refs whistle blew.

Full time we’d made it..... a squad of 20 with Theo and Ollie both playing an important and integral part in the win – 5 players injured and playing out of position – time for a rest and to heal our injuries

What a great Team Southwell are, hard, physical, unrelenting but gentlemen Jez and the coaching team should be proud. On another day that Whistle might have blown for a forward pass and the result could have been different.

For kesteven under 16’s The final beckons........