Kesteven Colts vs Newark– 20Mar 22

Bathed in spring sunshine, Kesteven took to the field for the return leg of the eagerly awaited local derby and the opening exchanges set the scene: 2 well-matched teams fighting hard to make first impressions count. A head wound saw Carrington leave the field after just 60 seconds of play and Newark opened their account, exploiting a gap in the defence to score the first try of the match just moments later. Kesteven responded with vigour and a fly-hack in open play saw Walker surge through to put pressure on the home side deep inside their 22. With Kesteven camped up on the Newark 5m line, points were inevitable. Pilkington punched through for what looked like Kesteven’s first score, only for the try to be disallowed, the ball seemingly held up by a scrambling Newark defence. Scrum half Gilbert left the field shortly later with a leg injury and Whaley moved up the line to take his place, providing vital stability in midfield at a time when errors and infringements were slowing progress for the visitors. With 25 minutes on the clock, and with Newark faltering under sustained pressure, a penalty gave Kesteven well deserved points, with Walker slotting the kick with ease from 30m out. Whilst Newark never looked completely settled, they were quick to pounce on any loose ball but the power of Harris in open play and the persistent threat of Sheard at any breakdown started to tip the balance of play in Kesteven’s favour. Another visit over the Newark goal line once again failed to meet the referee’s exacting requirements and it was down to the boot of Walker, yet again, to edge Kesteven into the lead from a penalty just before half time.

The second half saw Newark concede a stream of penalties and a yellow card followed. A further 3 points for Kesteven opened the gap between the 2 teams but Newark replied with interest with 2 quick tries and a conversion just 10 mins into the half. The handling errors continued, with Kesteven yielding territory as Newark started to expand their game, threatening down the wings at every opportunity. Resolute defence from the backs shut down the probing Newark attacks, with dominant tackles from three-quarters Fowler and Jackson, but the ever-present threat continued. In the end-to-end exchanges that followed, a lineout set up a driving maul for Cenci to power over in the left-hand corner, with a stunning conversion at range from Walker to put Kesteven within one point of the hosts. As the tempo, the energy and the nerves all rose, a long-range kicking exchange eventually found Coyle in space on the edge of his own 22, stepping on the gas to make a clean exit down the right wing and run in under the posts to put Kesteven 6 points ahead with 15 minutes to play. With Dickinson and Muir working flat-out in the engine room, and an exemplary performance from Simpson at hooker, Kesteven always looked strong in the scrum and perfectly poised to close Newark down in the final few minutes. However, a succession of penalties saw Whaley leave the pitch with a yellow card, and Newark seized the opportunity to score a try in the far left corner, with only the conversion needed to take the game. It was not to be (because Walker is the only one who can nail them from there) and the Black Army got the result they deserved in the most tense and dramatic conclusion to any of the games this season.

Whilst Whaley stepped up to play with great poise and distinction at scrum half, the stand-out performance of the game was from man of the match Walker. His consistent presence and innovation at fly-half provided the perfect platform for every move and his kicking, from hands and tee alike, was undeniably phenomenal. However, with 100% commitment from each player in the squad, this was the ultimate team effort and the sweetest moment to choose to bring it all together.

Kesteven: Ford-Pain, Simpson, Cenci, Harris, Ingamells, Dickinson, Pilkington, Carrington, Gilbert, Walker, Owen, Fowler (c), Whaley, Coyle, Bullement

Subs: Turford, Muir, Login, Griffiths, Mottram, Harrison, Jackson, Sheard, Whinney

Tries: Cenci, Coyle
Conversions: Walker (2)
Penalties: Walker (3)