On a glorious spring afternoon, Mr Matthews and Mr Smith travelled to Bishops Stortford with a young and enthusiastic KTS Senior Rugby XV ready to take on Birchwood School in the County Cup semi-final after two weeks of intense preparation
KTS had a tough start as they were trapped inside their own 22 and under severe pressure at the set piece, thanks to three powerful Stortford front rowers. The KTS front row of Tom Baxter, Adam Orton and Joss King were not intimidated and stood firm under the onslaught, knowing that with time their opponents would begin to tire. This proved to be the case.
Following a magnificent goal line stand, KTS cleared their lines and started to threaten the Birchwood 22. Josh Parkhouse at 10 was thriving from some quick ball and sharp delivery from scrum half Matthew Inman. However, KTS were still struggling to come to terms with the power and pace of the Birchwood players. In the end, the pressure told and Birchwood scored two good tries before half time, although they failed to convert both efforts.
In the huddle Mr Matthews and Mr Smith refocused the team and with the slope and breeze in the favour of KTS, the boys were confident of getting back on terms in the 2nd half - this proved the case. The forwards began to make progress, attacking wider from the ruck and Josh Parkhouse began to carve open the defence at will. Our first try was a blistering attack up the middle of the pitch with forwards and backs combining well. The move was rounded off by the team captain and talisman, Danny Burns. With the kick this made the score 10-7, game on!
The KTS boys continued to press and search for another score. However the Birchwood 10 and 12 showed their class and experience to cut us open for a well taken try down the left wing. Bill Bowkett bravely attempted to stop the play but came up short. However, with the conversion again going wide, all was not lost.
The KTS lads went back on the attack and threw everything they had at Birchwood. Arandeep Bisla was everywhere on the pitch having come off the bench to great effect, akin to one of Eddie Jones’ England finishers. With the clock running down, Man of the Match Josh Parkhouse took the ball to the line, showed it to Anil Sidhu and swept through the defence to score at the posts. He added the extras taking the score to 17-14.
With time running out Birchwood regained possession and kicked the ball dead to deservedly win the game. All the KTS squad can be proud of their efforts and when considering that many of this team are only Year 11, the future looks bright.
Congratulations to those year 13 boys playing their final game for KTS, namely; James Cook, Joe Croker, Danny Burns, Adam Orton, Bill Bowkett and Tom Baxter.