Kingston University rugby seconds have lost their opening game against King’s College London seconds.
Matt Wilson
Kingston battled back bravely but in vain during the second half of their opening game against King’s College London second team.
Kingston University’s second eleven lost 41-28 after trailing 31-0 at half time. Coach Dave Millard was very upbeat about the prospects of the team despite the loss.
Dave said: “It really was a game of two halves. We have two new players who have never played rugby before who came on in the second half and started a bit of a fire which we lacked in the first.”
Kingston started the game slowly and were 19-0 down after only eleven minutes, conceding three tries, two of which were down to poor ball handling.
On the half hour King’s College scored two tries in two minutes to finish the half in the dominant position of 31-0.
Coach Millard made several substitutions at half-time that reinvigorated the side.
Greg Salmon and substitute L Da Silva, who used to play American football, made bursting runs in the opening minutes of the second half putting pressure on the home side.
After four minutes Giles Haythornthwaite scored Kingston’s first try of the season. Captain Jake Down duly scored the conversion, his first of four, and the contest began.
King’s College struggled to deal with the power and pace of Da Silva who was awarded man of the match despite only playing half the game.
King’s College hit back with a try but missed their first conversion of the day. Four minutes later a clearly injured Gerald Lamont burst through after a dropped pass to bring Kingston back into the game.
Kingston battled on despite several injuries but could not do enough to reverse a disappointing first half performance.
The players and coach came out feeling very positive about the performance and are hopeful for a good season.
Dave Millard said: “The new guys will definitely start next game.”