Kilburn Cosmos 1st XV vs Verulamians - 20th Sep 2008

Kilburn Cosmos 19 - Verulamians 25

The Kilburn Cosmos went down in another close game on Saturday, losing 25-19 to Verulamians at London Colney.
Kilburn paid the price for a lacklustre first half and some indecision shown by a new look backline as they went behind 13-0 near the end of the first half.
A lack of available backs meant usual second row John Fenlon started at inside centre and Richey Cunninghame was rolled out to the wing. The inexperience in the backline was exposed early as a couple of good Verulamian midfield moves broke through and set up excellent field position. Verulamians capitalised on this and had notched up 2 tries and a penalty by the thirty second minute mark.
Kilburn had their chances in the first 30 minutes, camping on the Vs line for a long period but a few poor options meant the pressure went unrewarded. As the half wore on the Cosmos heads started to drop as the heat took its toll and the Cosmos support play, normally a strength of their game, was poor. Ball runners were left unsupported as the forwards struggled with the heat and Vs managed a number of turnovers when the Cosmos had got themselves in promising positions.
Cosmos suffered a blow when No8 Tom O’Connor was forced off with a head knock after 30 minutes but replacement Chris Protherough put his fresh legs to use and re-energised the forward pack. Cunninghame was switched with Fenlon to give a bit more experience to the midfield defence, and this coupled with the loss of the Vs fly half after he had taken a couple of big hits meant the Vs backline proved less of a threat.
The Cosmos finally got on the board in the 35th minute after a couple of excellent runs took Kilburn into the Vs 22. Bursey and Cunninghame then showed their experience to put Fenlon away in the corner and give the Cosmos some hope. The try was unconverted and left the score at 13-5 at which it remained at the halftime whistle.
The Cosmos were still confident they could come back and take the game at halftime and started the second half strongly.
However mistakes gave the Vs field position and Kilburn were forced to defend their line for the first 10 minutes of the half. The Cosmos defended brilliantly, denying the Vs and forcing them back until another mistake gave the Vs a 5 metre scrum.
In what some saw as a harsh decision Verulamians were awarded a penalty try from this scrum which further dented the Cosmos hopes of a comeback. A superb Verulamians scrum drove the Cosmos back from the five metre mark and when eventually the scrum collapsed the ref had no hesitation in running between the posts and signalling a try. The decision was viewed as harsh by many as it was not obvious there was an intentional offence by Kilburn nor had they been repeatedly pulling down the scrum and they definitely hadn’t been given a warning. However there was little doubt that the try would have been scored and little the Cosmos had to grumble about.
Knowing that time was running out the Cosmos finally started to show a bit of urgency and purpose in their attack. They were rewarded for their efforts when Captain Scott Aitken crashed over next to the posts after some excellent lead up work by the forwards.
This good work was undone when a misfield of a kick by Cunninghame gave the Vs field position near the Cosmos 22. The Vs capitalised with some weak defence by the Cosmos loosies allowing the Vs hard running 12 to make a break and set up the try which took the score to 25-12.
The Cosmos weren’t finished though and threw everything at the Vs. After Bursey was denied millimetres short of the line replacement wing Shayne Whyte picked up the loose ball and dove over to close the gap to 25-19, after the conversion by Garvey, with five minutes remaining.
Looking for an unlikely last gasp victory, as they managed in the same fixture last season, a last ditch effort by the Cosmos saw them drive down into the Vs 22. In the last play of the game Shayne Whyte was held up in the corner in going for the try that would have left Garvey with a sideline conversion to win the game.
But in the final analysis the Cosmos were not good enough to take the win. They showed in spurts they could cause some real problems and play good rugby but the key is to produce this rugby for 80 minutes. The set pieces were a problem for the Cosmos with the scrum under real pressure and getting a settled backline on the pitch is another key area if they are to challenge for the league title this year.
Paul Ledington was again excellent in the lineouts and around the field, halfback Liam Macmanus had a good return to rugby after a 10 year break and Chris Garvey had a typically solid and industrious game at fullback.
However Man of the match was judged to be Aly Bursey who put in a tireless performance at No 6, with Captain Scott Aitken picking up 2 points and under utilised centre Peter Donaldson, who made breaks every time he touched the ball 1 point. Donaldson was judged by Verulamians to have been the opposition player of the day.

Kilburn 19 (J Fenlon, S Aitken, S Whyte tries, C Garvey 2 conversions)

Team: R Nunes, D Magee, E Alonge, P Ledington, J Trout, A Bursey, S Aitken(C), T O'Connor, L Macmanus, A Allan, R Cunninghame, J Fenlon, P Donaldson, A Gbinigie, C Garvey. Reserves: P Morgan, C Protherough, S Whyte

Read Verulamians match report(Whytie is a huge winger!!)

Kilburn Cosmos 1st XV vs West London - 13th Sep 2008

Kilburn Cosmos 1st XV 17 - West London 22

A lack of composure ultimately told against Kilburn in their opening Herts/Middlesex 1 fixture as they went down 17-22 against West London.

After 2 preseason wins on the back of strong defence, Kilburn hoped to start the season proper with a competition victory and started the first half strongly with a well worked forwards try. Lock Paul Ledington, who commanded the centre of the lineout all day, took clean ball in which the forward pack set up a drive, which West London failed to halt before the line with lock John Cameron securing the 5 points. Andrew Allan added the conversion.

Further strong forward play, lead by the big men up front - props Bernard Knapp, Ricardo Nunes and hooker Declan Magee had the Cosmos again putting pressure on West London. Finally the pressure told and centre Peter Donaldson crashed over in mid ield which Allan duly converted again. It looked like Kilburn were about to kick on and post a big win in their opening match.

The West london scrum half inspired the visitors with some fine runs from the base of the scrum and their ever present openside flanker really started to get under the skin of the Comos forward pack. Lacking a decisive answer to play that existed right on the edge of the laws, Cosmos started to flounder and penalties began to go against them.

Despite controlling the scrum and the lineout, Cosmos couldn't sucessfully answer West London in the ruck, where they scrabbled and scraped and niggled until the ball came their way. As their confidence grew, the visitors began to make probing runs down the wing and through the centres and tested the Cosmos defence to the limit. By half time the balance of the game was turning against the Cosmos.

The second half opened with some exciting rugby. Wide running was well supported and both sides turned over the ball in defence, switching quickly to attack. Frustration eventually boiled over with the West London defence at the breakdown and Cosmos prop Bernard Knapp snapped the Referee's patience and earned a yellow card for entering the ruck from an offside position. A harsh penalty for the team who transgressed the least in the game.

West London were quick to capitalise on the one-man overlap but it took a huge effort for them to break the line first time. Although they failed to convert it, they built on their confidence with another two tries, putting the Cosmos behind by one point and in a precarious position.

Forcing their way up the pitch, the Cosmos put Andy Allan within range for an easy penalty kick when West London were caught with hands in the ruck. The 3 points put them back on top, but in the last ten minutes of the game West London forced a try from a succession of pick and drive runs within the Cosmos 5 metre line. Their one successful kick of the game earning them a 5 point lead.

Although the game ended with Cosmos on a spirited attack, driving the ball forward from short range at the West London line, it wasn't enough and the game ended with West London thanking their lucky stars for the full time whistle.

Man of the match was lock Paul Ledington with Declan Magee taking 2 points and new halfback Jesse Foden getting 1 point in an excellent first game for the Cosmos.

Kilburn 17 (J Cameron, P Donaldson tries, A Allan 2 conversions, 1 penalty)

Team: R Nunes, D Magee, B Knapp, P Ledington, J Cameron, C Protherough, A Bursey, S Aitken (C), J Foden, A Allan, A Koporo, S Whyte, P Donaldson, A Gbingie, W Wyrill. Reserves: P Morgan, M Taguri, L Porter

Meet the players - Captain Scott Aitken

So Scott another league season is about to kick off for the Kilburn Cosmos, looking forward to it?
I've pretty much been counting the days since the end of last season

How well prepared do you think the Cosmos are for the season?
We could be a lot better prepared, a few more consistent faces at training would be good

Any differences from last year?
Yeah a few of the Kiwi stalwarts of the last season have returned to New Zealand, so we are looking at a few new faces in key positions

And how do you rate the Cosmos chances in the league?
If we have scored more points then the opposition then we stand a good chance of winning

What teams do you think will be the main contenders?
It was a close competition last year so we'll have to wait a round or three to see how things stand

Kilburn have lost a lot of key players – Bernard, Boyd, Paul Nolan amongst others – how big a loss do you think these players will be and who do you see filling their shoes?
Well Boyd & Bernard leave huge shoes to fill, we have Glenn Cunninghame coming back from injury this season and he is a solid option at 13 for Boyd, but I really see Peter Donaldson stepping up and making a claim for a position in the centres. Guys like Declan Magee & Aly Bursay I think will step up and assume that leadership role vacated by the big man Bernard. Hopefully we can discover another talent like Paul Nolan from amongst the new boys

Any other players we should look out for that can make a difference this year?
Another new boy Paul Ledington at lock I think will add a bit of size and power to the engine room and Chris Garvey I think, playing in his more natural position of fullback this year should really show us what he is capable of.

Bit of background on you – where are you from, who have you played for, what brings you to the UK?
Originally from the Waikato in New Zealand but finished off in Southland. Played for "about half" the clubs in Southland I think (Otautau, Ohai Nightcaps, Midlands, Blues, Wyndham & Eastern Hawks) I moved around a bit, as well as a stint at Alhambra Union while at Uni. I came to the UK to see Liz & Phil, they live near Green Park tube in an old house at the end of the street with a great big fountain in front of it

And how did you find the Cosmos?
They had preseason training down at the local park and I spotted the guy from the tube with the cauliflower ears (Bernard) and realised I must be in the right place, I knew it was the club for me when after my second training Phil Morgan turned up in a Southland jersey to a chorus of 'Phil is a horses a*se'

How have you enjoyed your Cosmos experience so far? This is your 3rd season and 2nd as Captain so you must enjoy it!
Probably the best thing I did when I came to the UK was join the Cosmos. Sad thing is my life pretty much revolves around the rugby club

What's the best thing about the Cosmos?
Our flexibility on player availability
And the worst?
Our flexibility on player availability. No make that the Cosmos who don't show up to trainng

Couple of easy ones to finish – who is your rugby idol, funniest Cosmo, most annoying Cosmos, favourite player to play alongside?
Duane Monkley, the greatest rugby player never to wear an All Black jersey
Funniest Cosmo: John Fenlon the man from Manchester
Most Annoying Cosmos: John Fenlon the Durban breaker
Favourite player to play alongside: Kingi in Lithuania, first time I've every scored 3 tries in a game let alone 20mins and all on the back of barnstorming runs by the fingerless one

Thanks
No thank you

Kilburn Cosmos Club XV vs Wasps XV - 6th Sep 2008

Kilburn Cosmos RFC 31 - Wasps FC 14

Kilburn Cosmos dominated the final quarter of a friendly encounter with good natured rivals Wasps FC to start their season on a high note with a 31-14 win.

A dominant performance by the Kilburn Cosmos forwards, up against a youthful Wasps pack, paved the way for the Cosmos win.
The set pieces, often not a strength for the Cosmos, were excellent with the scrum, led by props Ben Zaug and new boy Ehi Alonge, always having the upper hand, and the lineout delivering excellent ball for the backs.

The Cosmos started the game well but soon found themselves stuck on their own tryline but, in hopefully a sign of things to come for the season, did not panic and kept Wasps out with committed defence before making the turnover to relieve the pressure.
Denying Wasps possession and therefore keeping the ball away from their dangerous outside backs quickly became obvious as the key to victory and the Cosmos forwards relished keeping the ball in tight. Any ball the forwards let out to the backs was usually run by nuggety scrum half Chris Protherough, who created havoc with his runs from the base of the rucks in a man of the match performance.
What ball fly half Andy Allan did receive he used wisely, either giving it to the big Cosmos midfield of Peter Donaldson and John Fenlon to crash up, or unleashing his long raking kicks to pin Wasps back on their goal line.

Fiery Cosmos flanker Aly Bursey scored the first try, backing up a Protherough break close to the Wasps line, and No 8 Tom O’Connor got the second in similar circumstances. Wasps also scored two first half tries which left the scores tied at 14-14 all.

The second half was dominated by Kilburn, showing the benefits of Wise Owls Monday fitness sessions.
From the restart the Cosmos secured field position on the back of excellent play from the forwards and Andy Allans boot and they rarely left the Wasps half for the 40 minutes. Debutante lock Paul Ledington capped off a great first game with a try down the sideline, Protherough was rewarded for his strong game with a try from a dart down the blindside, and Jon Trout poached a try from a push over scrum to make the final score 31-14.

Scott Aitken skippered the side but also put in a great personal effort, leading by example and making the most decisive tackles of the game. Veteran Peter Donaldson topped the tackle count as a determined defence kept a very able Wasps three quarter line at bay and his centre partner Fenlon showed that he wasn't all talk with an excellent game in the midfield rather than in his usual second row position. Fullback Hayden Wilson showed his class every time he got the ball, either breaking the first tackle or offloading in heavy traffic and Joe O'Brien, in his first ever game of rugby made a couple of storming runs and bounced back well from a couple of heavy hits.

Overall, an impressive first home game to add to the win over Helston RFC on tour two weeks ago.

Kilburn Ladies vs Chelmsford - 6th Sep 2008

Kilburn Cosmos Women 22 - Chelmsford Ladies 5

A solid display by the Kilburn Cosmos womens rugby team on Saturday as they got their season off to a winning start. Two tries for veteran Karen Aikenhead opened the scoring tally, with one a piece for centre Amy Trafford, and scrum half Lee Sinclair.

Kilburn were quick to dominate Chelmsford Ladies in the first quarter, although the opposition showed no shortage of spirit and hard-tackling ability as they fought to keep out the Cosmos attack. Ariana Ropiha marshalled the backline well and spun the ball to the hard running centres Aikenhead and Trafford, with winger Jo Franklin and fullback Suz Marlow making use of the space they created. In the end it was Aikenhead who crossed the line first to touch down 5 minutes into general play.
Upfront, prop Jen Spano dominated the scrum with Lucy Zaug at hooker showing a remarkable return to form with some devastating runs and some of the biggest hits of the game. Jane Charleton topped the tackle count for the game with some excellent individual defensive efforts, matched only by Ropiha at fly half.

Chelmsford hit back in the second quarter and denied the Cosmos the same level of possession they had enjoyed in the first 20 minutes. Wide running and some good support eventually caught the Cosmos hopping and the visitors crossed the line for their only try.

Chelmsford kept creating try scoring opportunities but poor options by their outside backs and some excellent scrambling defence continually denied them the chance to close the gap on Kilburn.
For the rest of the game, although it was not one way traffic, Kilburn continually had the upper hand, running out eventual winners with a 22-5 score line.

Kilburn Cosmos vs Helston - 23rd August 2008

Helston 15 - KCRFC 19

Kilburn Cosmos secured a memorable pre-season victory, holding on for a 4 point win over hosts Helston during the annual Cosmos tour to Cornwall.
In bright Cornish sunshine the two teams played for the "Perpetual Challenge" Cup in a good, friendly spirit from the first to the final whistle. Kilburn showed from the start that their passing and ball movement skills were a cut above the hosts and overcame the disadvantage of a depleted side and lightweight pack by putting everything into a game plan based on simple phases, retaining possession and moving the ball through the backs as quickly as possible.
These tactics, combined with an enterprising rugby instinct, paid off early as Andy Allan, fly half, started a move with a sliced kick that went backwards. Gathered in by Chris Garvey, the ball moved through the three quarters back into the forwards for hooker Declan McGee and lock John Cameron to re-establish a solid platform and feed quality ball to the scrum half. The move ended, as it began, with Allan, who made storming run through the Helston defence to cross the line. Garvey's kick gave the visitors a great start and a 0-7 lead.
The pace was relentless for the second quarter, with possession divided more or less equally between the sides. Kilburn's scrambling defence managed to cut off several attempts at the line by determined Helston backs and the Kilburn forwards again secured a solid platform when the ball came back onto their side. John Fenlon made sure that hooker McGee's throws were gathered at the lineout and even with the new laws permitting defenders to pull down mauls, the Cosmos were able to execute several solid drives against a bigger pack.
Kilburn forwards took the honours for the next try with a succession of close drives and rucks and mauls on the try line. Helston fought hard to keep them out but eventually the visitors crashed over the line with Declan McGee giving the ball its final downward pressure.
Helston fought back again and this time the pace of their attack told with a wide move resulting in a try in the corner. Failure to convert meant their advantage was held back to 5 points. Kilburn hit back almost immediately and on the first turn over the ball at the restart Gavin Smales, on the wing but never far from the action, managed to swing wide of the Helston defence and cut back to plant the ball between the posts giving Garvey another easy shot at goal and putting the half time score at a respectable 19-5 to the tourists.
The second half was all about hanging on to the advantage as Helston hit back and in scrum after scrum punished the visitors' lightweight pack and late night tour activities. The Kilburn defence scrambled and struck to keep them at bay for most of the half and some great tackling and running by Mike King at blindside flanker and Glenn Cunninghame in the centre looked like it might win the day outright for the tourists.
Eventually the line gave, and Helston crossed for two hard fought tries in the second half, showing their superior stamina in the last 10 minutes. A frantic rush for the line gave their backs a try to proud of, but their kicker failed to convert either try and their score was pegged back to 15. The last three minutes saw both sides throw everything they had at the game, but in the end Kilburn held on for a close 4 point winning margin.

Kilburn Cosmos RFC Old Boys XV v Tauranga Truss RFC 1st XV

Auckland, New Zealand, 2 August 2008

A group of Kilburn Cosmos RFC ex-players got together last month in New Zealand to stage the first reunion game for the club's fledgling "Old Boys" team. At windswept Suburbs RFC, Auckland, the Cosmos Old Boys XV took on the Tauranga Truss 1XV with a line up that included some great names from the 12 year history of Kilburn Rugby, including Owen and Charlie Sanders, Damien Kaukau, Ryan Perkins and former club Chairman Jim Greetham.

The well matched veteran teams started at a strong pace, with scrumhalf Ian Stewart and fly half Todd Williams feeding the ball down the line to Brendon Dwyer and Brook Grimwood in the centres. They unleashed the recent returnee Lyndon White on the wing who touched down for the opening try early in the game. Tauranga replied with a score of their own but Kilburn were soon infront again when a Williams chip kick was scooped up on the line by Hayden Wilson and planted for another try. Andrew Drake and John Worne in the forwards were in the thick of the action but the home side scored again and kept it even, and eventually slipped ahead by one try at halftime. The second half saw the Old Boys go down by two rapid tries from the Home team, but they kept firing, with Ryan Perkins on the wing and Anthony Bowron both nearly crossing the line to reply. Lineout ball was easy picking for Kilburn with leaping Andrew Whitburn and Andrew Drake dominating in the last quarter and setting up a last gasp try for Bowron in the corner to make the final score 30-25.

Commenting, Cosmos Chairman Phil Morgan said: "Its great to hear of so many Kilburn Old Boys getting together in the southern hemisphere and keeping the traditions of the club alive. hearing that so many old faces were on the pitch will inspire the new generation of Cosmos to get that promotion to London regional rugby this year!"