King Cross Park Under 9’s Festival
Sunday 31st May 2009
Guisley, Molgreen v King Cross Park
@ King Cross Park
On a hot sunny Sunday morning Guisley, Moldgreen and West Bowling U9's travelled to King Cross Park for a festival tornament playing at the Kensington ground.
With a couple of regular players out of the game, the rest of the team settled well into the start of the game. Kien Mather, Sam Whitehead first off the line to run the field and pass to George Standring who scored the 1st try. followed by conversion taken by George.
KXP kicked off with a strong run from Luke Goodall, stopped in his tracks by Guisley defence. A drive from Ryan Bailey and Finlay Sheehy took the team deep into the Guisley half only to loose the ball.
Guisley then drove hard catching KXP off guard making a run for the KXP line through a weak defence to open up the score line with their first try and conversion.
The ball back with KXP Kien Mather to Charlie McParland to Joe Hellowell saw the KXP side drive up the field in to a strong Guisley defence passing to Ryan Bailey and then George Standring to score the 2nd try followed by a conversion kick by Joe Hellowell.
Handing back to Guisley again a strong run and drive through the KXP defence found the try line with their second try of the opening half.
Back to the centreline Charlie McParland passes to Sam Whitehead with a strong run at the guisley defence passing to Joe Hellowell who is dragged into sideline touch by a well rehearsed Guisley side.
Unfortunately for KXP their luck did not change with Guisley being faster driving hard and coupled with a passion for pulling the KXP players kicking and screaming into touch the first half closed 18 points up to Guisley with KXP scoring 12.
With the first half tackling weak a firm talking to from the KXP Team Coach ensured the second half started with a significantly stronger and positive attitude.
Straight into the second half Mackenzie ran round Guisley defence to score a brilliant opening try and conversion kick lifting the team spirits.
Guisley hit back with a try, quickly followed by a response from KXP and a brilliant run from Charlie MacParland stopping short of the line.
Guisley with the ball then made a full length run of the pitch through the KXP defence to find the KXP line and score a further try and conversion kick.
Back to the line up, Cameron Ferguson went in with a stong run passing to Sam Whitehead laying the way for Mackenzie Bradwell to score his 2nd brilliant try for KXP.
With lifted spirits KXP put up a good defence against the faster and passionate Guisley side. Their speed and drive found KXP wanting with Guisley scoring with relative ease.
A little dispondent but still fighting a strong run from Kien Mather and Sam Whitehead against a strong Guisley defence unfortunately found him driven out into sideline touch only two yards from the line.
The game was going end to end with each player contributing to a great team effort between each side, from the line Kien Mather then ran the whole field to score a brilliant try and Finlay Sheehy the conversion kick to end the score at 36 KXP 30 GUISLEY
Brilliant game our first win of the season! Well done boys.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MACKENZIE BRADWELL
TOP TACKLER - GEORGE STANDRING
COACHES AWARD - KIEN MATHER
The second game Moldgreen v KXP found both teams equally matched.
With the game going end to end, and equal scoring from both teams this resulted in a draw.
KXP 20 MOLDGREEN 20
MAN OF THE MATCH - LUKE GOODALL
TOP TACKLER - SAM WHITEHEAD
COACHES AWARD - FINLAY SHEEHY
King Cross Park Under 9’s
Sunday 10th May 2009
v. West Bowling
@ Home
King Cross Park v. West Bowling : 20 – 40 (HT: 8 – 20)
Playing on the lush Kensington pitch in good sunshine. Three new team members had swelled the Under 9’s squad to 13 players; almost double last year’s squad size. Playing a West Bowling side with only 10 players. The scene was set for a good game – everybody was confident.
West Bowling won the toss and started. In only a few drives of their first set, they had scored their first try. KXP knew then that this wasn’t going to be an easy game; WB looked very organised.
KXP responded well in their first set and drove down the pitch to set up Mackenzie Bradwell for their opening try.
WB came back again with some strong running to score their second try. Their strong defensive line then stopped KXP from scoring during their next possession. WB then took the offensive and with some more strong running went the length of the pitch to score their third try. WB were running onto the ball at the start of every drive – something KXP seemed to have forgotten all about today.
KXP powerhouse, George Stanring, was put into good field position by some good running by Oliver Wilson and Bradwell and was able to break through the WB line to score KXP’s second try.
Then KXP really faltered. Before the end of the first half WB scored two more tries during 4 sets but KXP were made to look very static in offence. Runners were standing still when they received the ball, allowing WB to rush up and tackle them before making any yardage down the pitch.
In defence, KXP were making lots of tackles through Ben Gordon, George Stanring, Mackenzie Bradwell and Oliver Wilson. But WB were passing and making KXP make more and more tackles to stop a drive.
At half time, the score stood at 8 – 20.
The second half started again with KXP not running very well and WB were able to snuff out their first two sets. KXP were however, tackling well now and also stopped WB from scoring in their first two sets. Oliver Wilson, George Stanring and Charlie McParland were tackling well in the centre of the pitch.
Then Bradwell managed to power through the WB line for an excellent solo try suggesting that KXP could still get back into the game.
Not to be out done, WB started to pass the ball out of the tackle more and more giving them more space to run and scored again.
From the restart, KXP were quick to move down the pitch and were able to give the ball to Sheehy before WB were settled and he waltzed round WB players to score his first try of the game.
Bradwell scored one more try – bring his personal tally up to 3 – to bring the game close at 5 tries to 6. But then WB tore into KXP and scored 4 unanswered tries to put then game out of reach. KXP were making a habit of tackling well on the first 4 drives of a set, only to loose it on the 5th or 6th and see WB score.
The new KXP players Sam, Cameron and Kien all played well. They tackled well and were eager to run when given the ball in offence. Sam in particular proved to be a very able tackler.
Unfortunately, having a few new players in the team and using substitutions through out the game, may have contributed to the lack of rhythm of the team. WB were just that bit more organised as a team and it proved to make the difference on the day.
KXP Man of the Match: Finlay Sheehy
Top Tackler: Mackenzie Bradwell
Coaches Award: Sam
King Cross Park Under 9’s
Sunday 19th April 2009
v. Queensbury
@ Home
King Cross Park v. Queensbury : 16 - 28
Confidence had returned to the Under 9’s Team after last weeks win and a good training session on Wednesday. So they were keen to beat Queensbury and get revenge.
But the game did not start well. Queensbury scored on their first drive and KXP only managed one tackle. Queensbury then went on to score two more tries in quick succession.
Each of the first two KXP drives ended on the first tackle as the runner was tackled into touch. So after only the first 5 minutes, KXP were 12-0 down.
On KXP’s third drive, they eventually managed to stay on the pitch and move towards the Queensbury try line. They were then able to unleash KXP’s new secret weapon – George Stanring. George stormed over try line to score KXP’s first try of the day.
This was just the boost that the team needed. KXP then managed to snuff out the next two Queensbury drives with good tackling from Stanring and Oliver Wilson in particular. But the team tackling that had made such a difference in last weeks game was somehow missing today. Queensbury’s superior team play and organisation was really showing.
Queensbury’s defence was also working well and they also prevented KXP from scoring on each of their next 3 drives.
Queensbury superiority was showing as they did manage to off-load in tackles and run through some rather weak KXP tackling to score two further tries by the end of the first half. Half time score: 4 – 20.
A strong half time team talk by the coaches Staff Bradwell and Martin Hellowell brought KXP out of their shell. The second half performance was far better than the first half.
George Stanring again opened up the scoring in the second half with a blistering solo run. Good tackling from Stanring, Wilson and Ben Gordon kept Queensbury from scoring on each of their first three drives. The KXP team were also chasing down the Queensbury runners better and smothering them, preventing the off-load.
Mackenzie Bradwell scored KXP’s second try of the half and brought the score back to 12 –20. May be they were in with a chance yet.
All that hard work by KXP was then undone by a moment of madness by Bradwell as tempers boiled over and he lashed out at a Queensbury player. The Ref had no choice but to order him from the pitch.
Unsettled, KXP then couldn’t stop the well-drilled Queensbury side from running in two more tries to extend their lead and put the game out of reach.
KXP did manage to drive once more up to the Queensbury try line. Strong running by Charlie McParland and Wilson set up the opportunity for Stanring to score his third try of the match.
The game was lost in the first 5 minutes, when Queensbury scored 3 quick tries in succession and conceded nothing. This just goes to show that tackling is important but so is possession and giving away possession by being tackled into touch really hurt KXP’s chances today.
KXP Man of the Match: George Stanring
Top Tackler: Oliver Wilson
Coaches Award: Charlie McParland
King Cross Park Under 9’s
Sunday 19th April 2009
v. Keighley Cougar Cubs
@ Keighley
King Cross Park v. Keighley Cougar Cubs : 48 – 20
The weather was good and got better as the game went on. Could KXP get their first win of the season after suffering 5 straight defeats?
The Cubs kicked off and with their first drive came within inches of a try but strong tackling by KXP kept them out. Mackenzie Bradwell leading the defensive effort.
On KXP’s first drive, they moved from their own goal line the length of the pitch to the Cub’s goal line but couldn’t cross the try line.
The Cubs couldn’t do any better with their next drive, Bradwell and new boy George Stanring pushing them back in the tackle.
Starting their second drive from a better field position, KXP stormed down the pitch and George Stanring got KXP’s first try of the day, in his first game for the team. Stanring even successfully kicked the conversion for his own try! May be this was going to be KXP’s day after all.
The next 4 drives – two by each team – all resulted in tries. For KXP Finlay Sheehy scored with his usual elusive running and Oliver Wilson brushed many Cubs tacklers aside to cross the try line. So KXP were just managing to stay ahead by a try.
But this was the turning point of the game. KXP were playing well as a team and tackling in numbers. The Cubs could do nothing to stop them. For the last 5 minutes of the first half and the first ten minutes of the second half, KXP scored another 5 tries (Ben Gordon 2, Joseph Hellowell, George Stanring and Finlay Sheehy).
The attacking running was good but the defensive tackling was better. KXP snuffed out 4 of the Cubs drives and stopped them scoring for about 15 minutes of the game. The strongest tackling during this period came from Stanring, Wilson and Bradwell. But the whole team were involved to ensure that the Cubs got nowhere.
With the game now standing at 32 – 8 to KXP, the Cubs – to their credit – came back at KXP and started to score again. In the last 10 minutes of the game, the Cubs ran in 3 tries and KXP, through Ben Gordon, scored one more try.
The final score of 48 – 20 meant that KXP did, at last, win their first game of the season. And they did so in some style.
Special mention to George Stanring for his very impressive tackling in his very first game. His tackle count was higher than any other member of the KXP team.
KXP would also like to thank the Referee. He was fair and firm for the whole match.
KXP Man of the Match: Joseph Hellowell
Top Tackler: George Stanring
Coaches Award: Ben Gordon + Oliver Wilson
King Cross Park Under 9's
Sunday 5th April 2009
at King Cross Park
KXP 28 Meltham All Blacks 38
With only seven players available KXP were set for a challenging game against the lighter weight and faster pace Meltham All Blacks pack.
With Ryan Bailey as team captain on a dry sunny day compact pitch Meltham All Blacks were the stronger side menopolising play and placing KXP under pressure.
From the kick off Meltham ran hard and with lightning speed down the wing took KXP by surprise scoring the opening try followed by an equal successful conversion.
KXP kicked off and were quickly placed under pressure and tackled by the eager Meltham defence with KXP losing the ball at the fifth tackle and Meltham taking advantage scoring there second try and conversion.
Not to be beaten KXP responded with drives from Luke Goodall, Oliver Wilson and Joseph Hellowell to find Ryan Bailey who was tackled and passed to Mackenzie Bradwell to find the corner and opening try for the home team but an unsuccessful conversion.
Meltham never backed down and produced a strong run from the centre to find a further try against a strong defence from Oliver Wilson, Mackenzie Bradwell, Finnley Sheehy and Charlie Macparlane.
KXP kick off from the line with a hard drive and run from Charlie Macparlane passing to Joseph Hellowell and Ryan Bailey who is quickly tackled and disappears under the Meltham defence. With Oliver Wilson and Mackenzie Bradwell combination running for the Meltham line KXP were tackled for the fifth only yards from the line handing the ball over to the defending Meltham team.
With a quick turnover Meltham ran hard against the defending KXP side and in similar fashion to their opening try of the game ran down the wing to seal their fourth try leading into the half time whistle and Meltham leading 20 points to KXP's 4.
With a half time break a disappointed KXP side team talk from the coaches was in order to rally the side for the second half.
Not to be disappointed further a strong run by Charlie Macparlane and try by Oliver Wilson through the Meltham defence and conversion by Luke Goodall opened up the second half.
With both sides working hard Meltham again broke through the KXP defence despite efforts from Mackenzie Bradwell, Charlie Macparland and Ryan Bailey to score their fifth try of the game.
KXP not to be defeated responded with an Oliver Wilson, Charlie Macparlane and Joseph Hellowell drive from the centre finding Mackenzie Bradwell run for the line to even up the score with a supporting conversion from Finnley Sheehy.
Melthams speed and drive in the third quarter of the game was rewarded with a further two tries against a slower KXP side.
But with grit and determination KXP never gave up the battle with a strong run from Charlie Macparlane finding the Meltham line only to be disappointed by a disallowed try.
With time running out in the second half KXP running hard against a continually strong Meltham defence passed the ball to Mackenzie Bradwell who stormed for the line scoring his fifth try of the game with a closing score of KXP 28 Meltham 38.
Man of the match - Mackenzie Bradwell
Top Tackler - Oliver Wilson
Coaches Award - Luke Goodall
King Cross Park Under 9's
Sunday 29th March 2009
at Queensbury
KXP 24 Queensbury 32
On a bright sunny morning under 9's team travelled to Queensbury.
As a mark of respect to Leon Walker of Wakefield Trinity Wildecats a minutes silence of respect was held prior to game commencing.
On a sloping pitch Queensbury kicked off and with advantage of the down hill slope took KXP by surprise storming down the field to score an opening try.
KXP not to be caught out for a second time responded with a pass from Finlay Sheehy to Mackenzie Bradwell who swiftly scored KXP opening try of the game.
With heavy tackles and defence from Charlie Macparlane and Oliver Wilson Queensbury ran hard against KXP to score a second try swiftly followed by a third try with lightning speed along the wing.
Not to be beaten Ryan Bailey tackled his heart out against much larger opponents only to be injured and taken off the pitch to recuperate from a bruised face and arm. With remainder of the team tackling hard opening up the Queesbury pack a pass out to Oliver Wilson found the Queensbury line for KXP second try of the game.
With Ryan now back on the pitch and hard tackling from both sides Queensbury ran at KXP down the centre and across to the wing opening up KXP to deliver their fourth try.
KXP kick off from the line with a hard drive and run from Luke Goodall only to be stopped in his tracks with Mackenzie Bradwell picking up and passing to Charlie Macparlane who is quickly tackled and disappears under the Queensbury pack. With Oliver Wilson and Joe Hellowell combination running for the Queensbury line KXP were tackled for the fifth only yards from the line handing the ball over to the defending Queensbury team.
With strong defence and tackling from KXP Ryan Bailey, Finlay Sheehy, Oliver Wilson and Joe Hellowell Queensbury drove hard down the pitch with a final run down the wing to score their fifth try of the game.With Mackenzie Bradwell providing a further two tries for KXP a Queensbury response provided them their sixth try leading into the half time whistle and Queensbury leading 24 points to KXP's 16.
With a five minute break Queenbury taking advantage of perfecting their tackling skills against the tackling bags and KXP team talk from the coach both teams were back on the pitch eager to go.
With both sides working hard opening up the second half of the game Queensbury broke through the KXP defence despite efforts from Mackenzie Bradwell, Charlie Macparland and Ryan Bailey to score the opening try.
Now with KXP advantage of the slope an opening drive from Luke Goodall provided a drive forward for the KXP team only to be disapppointed by further injury to Ryan Bailey knee injury requiring time out for recovery. With remainder of the team driving hard against Queensbury Mackenzie Bradwell went on to score his fourth try of the game.
Queensbury not to be defeated responded with a drive from the centre against the KXP defence providing an further try.
With time running out in the second half KXP passing the ball found the line with a final try from Mackenzie Bradwell scoring his fifth with a closing score of KXP 24 Queensbury 32.
Man of the match - Mackenzie Bradwell
Top Tackler - Finlay Sheehy
Coaches Award - Ryan Bailey
