Kings Cross Steelers v 1st XV Match report

Old Brentwoods travelled into East London for their much anticipated first match of the season against Kings Cross Steelers. With a comprehensive preseason, clear blue skies and a strong bench the visitors were keen to start their campaign with a precious away W.

From the offset it was clear the game was going to be brutally physical. Kings X benefiting from starting the season a week prior, were quick off the line demonstrating incredibly strong ball carrying and intensity both sides of the ruck, pushing Woodies to defend in their own half and having to use their scarce possession to relieve territorial pressure.

In doing so, and through the opening exchanges, the Old Boys were quick to identify set pieces as a key advantage over the home side, therefore electing for regular scrummages and letting their Back row dominating both sides of line outs.
It was from such a platform they garnered their first real attacking threat, releasing the Backs wide into open space forcing an apologetic high tackle leading to a yellow card for Kings X. Smelling blood in the water, Old Brentwoods elected for another lineout close to the line and after a controlled maul released electric Tim Mason down the narrow blindside for a walk-in try in the corner, opening the scoring but not converting. [0-5]

Spurred on by the score, Woodies continued to press the set piece and numerical advantage. Securing a scrum in the opponents third, the ever-present running threat No.8 George Watson managed to drift across the pitch drawing numbers to release the Old Boys centre again into the corner for the second score. [0-10]

Revitalised by their man back from Bin and revived to full strength, KingsX continued to push the physicality of the game with an exhausting bombardment of strong running and intricate offloads, eventually unlocking the middle pitch for their first contribution to the score board. [7-10]

Quickly after the reset Old Brentwood again found themselves in a familiar attacking position of the field, this time with a lineout in hand. Captain Stu Smyth accurately darted a ball to the back pod, with the resulting drive being stopped inches from the try line. Through some controlled and patient trench warfare, the Forwards finally grinded the defence down enough for man mountain Bob Levoir to burst over the line under the posts with a subsequent conversion just before halftime. [7-17 HT]

The second half continued much in the same way as the first but with the pressure of physicality forcing Woodies to empty their impressive bench in lieu of consecutive head injuries dutifully attended by physio Katie Oswell.
With some key moral boosting hits from solid Danny Seward and Smashville alumni Lewis Barnes countering the continued barrage of KingsX heavy carries the Old Boys were able to extend their lead. George Watson, now in at centre, led a blasting run breaking a handful of tackles and clambering over the try line under the posts. Tim Mason coolly converted and not long after was able to seize an opportunity for a long-range penalty from a Kings X ruck infringement. [7-27]

From the restart KingsX immediately bit back with some creative stretch play and dominating carries leading to a ruck close to the Woodies try line. With fatigue beginning to show they were able to wear down the defenders and score, also converting. [14-27]

Sensing the tide was shifting it wasn’t long until KingsX found themselves on the attack again after some gruelling end to end kick chases and scattered broken play. Aware of the Woodies efficiencies at the set piece, the Home side tactically elected for tap penalties most of the second half with a lapse in concentration leading to an lightly challenged score from the 5m line. [21-27]

Feeling their grip on the game slipping and a fair amount of time left to play, Old Brentwoods began some clever game management through tight defending, kicking down field and reliance on their set-piece masterclass. Despite locking the home side into their own red zone several times they were however unable to produce additional points and relieve pressure.
With time dwindling down a panicked miskick to clear the KingsX lines was picked up by Fullback Rhys Town enabling a counter-attack ending in a scrum 5m out from the opponent try zone. Woodies once again showed blue heads in such a pivotal position, testing the defence left to right before Liam Stone was able to cannon over tired defenders for the final score. [21-34]

A well fought and inspired win to start the season, against a tough and well drilled side. Woodies return to Ashwells for their Home game opener against Barking next week.

Author: George Barrett