Kingston RFC

Match reports 2011/12

Saturday 28th January 2012
London Exiles 21, Kingston 12 (L)

Kingston 2ndXV 30, O'Ruts 5 (F)
A welcome return to winning ways for the Saxons who dominated an opposition with a similar mix of age groups in their side.
Kingston’s most sustained play was in the 1st half, up the slope, and they were rewarded with 4 tries ; the first two from Billy Tattum at inside centre, followed by and a debut try for Matt Sanderson on the left wing.
The opposition closed the gap to 15 points with the 1st try of the second half, which went unconverted, as did all the kicks today, but Kingston reacted well and scored two more tries to put the result beyond doubt, through Neil Anderson and skipper James Davies.
Chris Akerman was busy at scrum half ; Richard W had another good game in the second row, but Man of the Match this week was Dan Turner, who impressed with straight running at centre and ability to make the ball available.

Saturday 21st January 2012
Farnham 40, Kingston 5 (Surrey Shield)
Kingston’s winning streak came to an abrupt end as they lost 40-5 away to Farnham in the Surry Cup.

Though the cup was never a priority at the outset of the season, Kingston were disappointed to lose to a team in the lower league, especially in such a poor fashion.
The home side dominated a one sided first-half, seemingly scoring at will with Kingston unable to stem the tide in the forwards and the backs.
Halftime couldn’t come quickly enough for the K’s as they used the opportunity to re-group and mounted a fight back of sorts after the break. However, despite improvements, all the damage had been done in the first half and Kingston were restricted to a single try scored by number eight Ciaran Galvan.
Kingston will be eager to move on from this performance and get back to the league next week away to London Exiles.

Kingston 2ndXV v O'Rutlishian 2ndXV (F)

Saturday 14th January 2012
Kingston 22, v CL London 10 (L)

Kingston continued their excellent run of form with a 22-10 victory over CL London. The win, their fourth in four games, takes Kingston up to fifth in the league and all but ensures a repeat of last season’s relegation scrap will be avoided.

In a classic game of two halves, the first half belonged to the visitors as Kingston struggled to contain CL London out wide and at the ruck. Then, just before the half time break, with the score at 0-10 in the visitor’s favour CL London looked to have secured the victory as they broke Kingston’s defence and raced to the try line. Where it not for man of the match Joe Best’s near divine intervention - tap tackling one of CL London’s backs as he was seemingly in the clear - the result would have certainly been different. The perfectly timed last ditch tackle meant the first half ended 0 - 10, allowing Kingston a critical life line to salvage the game after the break.

Taking inspiration from Joe Best’s heroics, Kingston used the half time break to rally and came out firing. The home side’s second-half fight back was nothing less than awe inspiring as all fifteen Kingston players put themselves on the line for the cause, denying CL London clean ball at the scrum and lineout and pressuring them in possession. As the half grew, Kingston’s pressure turned to points as tries were scored through wingers Roger Lawal and Nathan Brown, centre Joe Morris and prop Chi Kavindele, with one conversion scored by fly half Alan Ockenden.

Law Society 2ndXV v Kingston 2ndXV (M)

Saturday 7th January 2012
O'Whitgiftian 11, Kingston 17 (L)
Kingston made it three wins out of three with a hard fought 11-17 win away at O'Whitgiftians, with tries scored by hooker Pete Codd and wingers Harry Bettinson and Nathan Brown. Alan Ockenden, who's return to the team along with Shaun McKay has coincided with their last three wins, gave an assured performance from Fly Half, dictating play and kicking his team into good positions. The victory was all the sweeter given that the last time these two teams met, Kingston lost by two points to a last minute drop goal after seemingly securing the win. Nevertheless revenge was by no means assured as, despite Kingston making a solid start, OW's scored the first points from a long range penalty. As the game wore on Kingston grew in confidence, with their forwards in particular testing OW's in the loose and at scrum time. With 7 minutes to go, hooker Pete Codd was sin binned for behaviour unbecoming to a gentleman and the run of play went in OW's favour as they capitalised on their numerical advantage. In rather dramatic fashion - no less that this fixture deserves - the game ended with OW's a mere inches from Kingston's try line, knowing that a converted try was all they would need to once again steal a victory from Kingston at the death. However, Kingston held out to the final whistle to secure the points through grit, determination and no little measure of testicular fortitude. After such a gutsy performance Kingston will feel relieved to have exercised the demons from the result the last time these two teams met. Next up for Kingston is a fixture against CL of London at home, another fixture that haunts Kingston from the last time these two teams met...

Kingston 2ndXV 23, Weybridge Vandals 3rdXV 10 (F)
This might be seen as turning point in the Saxons’ season for 2 reasons; first, because this was a win by a genuine 2nd XV against worthy opponents and secondly because the starting line up contained just 4 players over 30 years old and the same number from the U-17 squad..
The game was always close fought with only a penalty to each side in the first half hour. Notable was the home side defence when , in the early stages, Vandals had most of the possession.
Kingston got the advantage 6 minutes before the break with a try by Richard Warwick, unconverted.
The game remained tight for the majority of the second half, despite Kingston scoring first through a Peter Farrell tapped penalty. Vandals hit back after 68 mins with a converted try to make the score 13-10. It was at this point that the young side showed their resolve, playing the majority of the rugby for the rest of the game. This was rewarded with a penalty by Richard Foskett to give some breathing space, and the clinching converted try by Joe Wright.
A great team performance led by Jake Catling, with Richard Warwick just shading Callum O’Donnell for Man of the Match.

Saturday 17th December 2011
Kingston 27, O'Walcountian 17 (L)
Kingston finished 2011 in emphatic style, picking up 10 points in the last two games, amassing a total of 12 tries and moving them up the league table. Things are starting to come together nicely under Head Coach Earle Wilkes. The Kingston pack dominated the game throughout and although K's went behind at the start, they kept their composure to dominate the game throughout. Four tries were scored by Harry Bettinson, Peter Codd, Ciaran Galvin and Jonathan Morris. Alan Ockenden slotted a drop goal and 2 conversions.
It has been a tough first half for Kingston. The 1stXV won their first two games, but then narrowly lost some in between. The group of players the club has are now working well together and the new recruits are bedding in well. There is a great atmosphere in the club across both teams. We have a lot more younger players, which is very encouraging. Training is going well and numbers up on last season. I expect a better New Year and hopefully we can continue our recent good form.
We will return after the New Year with an away game against O'Whitgiftians on 7th January.
Graeme Maisey
Club Captain

Kingston 2ndXV (TBA)

Saturday 10th December 2011
London SA 12, Kingston 48 (L)
Kingston got back to winning ways with a convincing win over LSA. Kingston applied the pressure from the start and soon, their dominant scrum forced a penalty try that Jonathan Morris duly slotted. Further pressure allowed Harry Bettinson to intercept lose ball to score in the corner. The remainder of the first half was tight. After the interval, Kingston increased their lead with a try from Jonathan Morris and also Pete Codd from a driven lineout. LSA also scored two tries themselves.
Substitutes Alan Ockenden and Shaun Mckay were introduced at 10 & 12 in the second half and the LSA defence was cut apart with some exquisite offloading to runners, allowing Graeme Maisey, Matt Wickers and Nathan Brown to round off a great afternoon for Kingston. Morris & Bettinson kicked 2 conversions each during the game.
Kingston will look to take this good form into this Saturday's league game against O'Walcountians, the last of 2011.

Kingston 2ndXV v Economicals 2ndXV (M)
Awaiting match report...

Saturday 12th November 2011
Kingston 12, O'Tiffinian 23 (L)
Kingston suffered another disappointing defeat, losing 12-23 at home to Old Tiffinians. The home side started positively, going 5-0 up after a few minutes when winger Martin Ng'Uni capitalised on an error by his opposite number to touch down in the corner. Early signs were bright for Kingston as their set piece dominance began to put pressure on the Old Tiffinians pack, restricting the visitors to a three point penalty. Following a period of sustained pressure, Kingston’s second try came from a quickly taken tap penalty which resulted in back rower Simon Redpath crossing the line after a break from prop Chi Kavindele. Centre Jo Morris’ successful conversation took the score to 12-3.
This, unfortunately, was as good as things were going to get for the home side. Ten minutes before the break Old Tiffinians scored a converted try taking the score to 12-10. Going into the second half, Old Tiffinians confidence grew and they began to stamp their authority on the game. Their backs in particular looked increasingly dangerous and scored a number of tries interspersed with penalties to keep the score board ticking over. Kingston had little to say in the second half, failing to add to their 12 points. The game ended 12-23.
All in all Kingston will rue their inability to sustain their own game plan for long enough through the game. With only four points separating Kingston and the three teams below them in the league, the K’s risk getting dragged into another relegation dog fight.

Kingston 2ndXV v O'Tiffinians 2ndXV (M)
Awaiting match report...

Saturday 5th November 2011
Harrow 37, Kingston 10 (CUP - JUNIOR VASE)
Kingston 2ndXV v Barnes V (F)

Saturday 22nd October 2011
Croydon 13, Kingston 12 (L)
Kingston succumbed to an agonising 12- 13 defeat against Croydon in an ill tempered affair.
KIngston got off to the perfect start, when winger Nathan Brown broke down the left and slipped the ball to skipper Joe Morris. The conversion was missed.
In a tight first half which the home side dominated, the highlight for Kingston was an intercepted pass caught by winger Matthew Fields who outstripped the defence and scored to take the score to 12-13.
After the break Croydon spent much of the second half penned in their half of the field, with Kingston unable to break through and make the territory and possession count. Late on in the half, with the home side reduced to 13 men, Kingston's skipper, centre Joe Morris saw a long range penalty fall agonisingly short in dramatic fashion to the despair of the visitors. Despite their dogged defence, Kingston will rue their lack of creativity and inability to break the line. After such a promising start to the season, Kingston will be frustrated to find themselves fourth in the league table after a run of three loses, two of which have been by less than three points, and a draw. It will be interesting to see how the K’s respond to this latest set back.

Kingston 2ndXV 28, Streatham & Croydon 2ndXV 20 (M)
Awaiting match report...

Saturday 8th October 2011
Kingston 24, London Exiles 24 (L)
Kingston drew 24-24 at home to London Exiles in a thrilling encounter...
Buoyed by the return of fly half James Lack, the home side were eager to get their season back on track after defeats in their previous two games. Kingston were first out of the gate, scoring a converted try through scrum half Simon Ridpath, taking the score to 7-0.
Much of the first-half consisted of the inevitable salvo of aggressive runners and tactical kicks, with each side asking questions of the other’s defence but neither gaining a clear advantage. Then with 10 minutes remaining in the half, the balance of the game shifted dramatically as London Exiles scored two unconverted tries. If things were looking ominous for Kingston, their position quickly worsened one minute before half time when stalwart hooker Peter Codd received his marching orders, collecting a yellow card for questioning the referee’s competence one too many times,
The half time whistle couldn’t come sooner for Kingston who used the break to re-group and reorganise. Reduced to 14 players, Kingston came out for the second half looking to prove a point, with a number of successful plays forcing the Exiles to defend from deep inside their own 22. The visitors defended bravely against a seemingly endless onslaught of forward runners, though the pressure told when first flanker Stuart Hill and then prop Chi Kavindele scored unconverted tries taking the score to 17-10. If the game wasn’t exciting enough, a failed drop goal attempt by Kingston bounced favourably, with Martin Ng'Uni pouncing for an opportunistic try. Fly half James Lack added the extra points.
With ten minutes left and the score at 24- 10 things were looking good for Kingston. However indiscipline and poor defensive organisation led to London Exiles successfully scoring from a decisive lineout and then from a short range break away try, levelling the game at 24-24. Though both teams looked disappointed at the final whistle, perhaps Kingston will be more so given that they were leading by 14 points deep into the second half. In saying that, there were a number of positives that Kingston should take away from the game; their rucking, lineout and kicking game in particular were vastly improved on previous weeks.

Croydon 2ndXV v Kingston 2ndXV (M)
Awaiting match report and result...

Saturday 1st October 2011
CL London 25, Kingston 14 (L)
Awaiting match report...

Kingston 2ndXV 30, Law Society 2ndXV 43 (M)
Awaiting match report...

Saturday 24th September 2011
Kingston 18, O'Whitgiftian 20 (L)
Kingston suffered their first defeat of the season with an 18-20 loss at home to Old Whitgiftians. The home side did well to come from behind in a typically physical encounter, only to succumb to a devastating last minute drop goal.

After a well balanced first half, Kingston went in to the break marginally behind as the teams exchanged a try each and a handful of penalties. As the second half wore on Kingston’s confidence grew and the home side looked more and more likely to overcome the deficit with the game poised at 13 - 17. Then with only a few minutes remaining until the final whistle, the pressure told and Kingston scored from a push over try, with number 8 Cairan Galvan touching down to take the score to 18 -17. Leading by a single point Kingston, and the sizeable crowd, were confident that they had done enough to secure the win, only to then give possession back to Old Whitgiftians after the kickoff with an ill advised clearance kick from outside of their 22 own. Old Whitgiftians won the ensuing lineout and fed the ball to their fly half who slotted a well executed drop goal to take the score to 18-20 to end the game, and with it Kingston’s winning start to the season.

In fairness the visitors did well to shackle Kingston and compete at the set piece, without ever looking like the better team on the day. Kingston will take some positives from the defeat; winger Matt Fields was a constant threat to the Old Whitgiftians defence, leaving them scrambling and clutching thin air on a number of occasions. Hooker Peter Codd turned back the clock and led from the front – earning himself a well deserved man of the match award.

After all has been said and done, Kingston will rue the number of forced changes to the side – coach Earl Wilkes noting that the team have made more than 30 positional and personnel changes already this season. In light of this, and with a number of key players returning, Kingston will be eager to put things right next Saturday and get their season back on track.

O'Cranleighans 2ndXV v Kingston 2ndXV (M)
Awaiting report...

Saturday 17th September 2011
O'Walcountians 11, Kingston 20 (L)
Kingston continued their fine start to the season with a hard fought 20-11 victory at Old Walcountians.
Though missing a number of key players, the Kingston team were determined not to let it disrupt the momentum they have built up this season.
The game began frantically with both sides using their forwards to good effect and playing a tight game in what was a physical encounter. Kingston found themselves in unfamiliar territory early on, unable to compete with Old Walcountians’ dominance at the scrum.
Kingston fly half Larry Weeks scored the first points of the match with a successfully penalty kick and Old Walcountians responding with a penalty of their own shortly after.
The teams went into the interval well matched with each side scoring one try apiece. Old Walcountians opened the scoring through their hooker as a result of sustained pressure in Kingston’s 22. Kingston responded with a timely short range effort from prop Chi Kavindele just before half time.
Kingston, conscious that the opposition were tiring, upped the tempo in the second half. This tactic proved to be successful as scrum half Simon Ridpath punished Old Walcountians by initiating a 6o metre counter attacking move which resulted in winger Harry Bettinson scoring a try in the right hand corner. Bettinson was involved again as Old Walcountians spilled the ball deep in their own half allowing captain, Jonathan Morris, to touch down for Kingston’s third try of the day.
Kingston will prepare hard this week for their home game against O’Whitgiftians this Saturday. Kick Off. 3pm