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 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.
