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.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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.
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.
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