Loading ...Varsity: King’s rule over UCL in battle royale
Jason Ford, KCL’s fly half, became the scourge of UCL this year as his three penalties and audacious drop goal won KCL their first varsity in recent history.
The form of both teams leading up to this year’s KCL v UCL varsity made it impossible to predict the outcome. UCL were two leagues above KCL in BUSA but had lost a majority of their games, whereas lower placed KCL had only lost one game all season and had recently been crowned Guttridge Cup Winners.
Both sides matched the crowd’s enthusiasm, singing at each other from the moment they arrived, and from the Kick-Off neither side looked likely to back down. King’s dominated the beginning of the second half with great direct running from the KCL backs coupled with a command of the break downs by KCL’s forwards and scrum half, Jonny Hardinges. King’s forced themselves into UCL’s 22; their pressure paid off with a penalty in kicking distance early on, which Ford duly slotted home.
Once UCL were able to maintain possession they made King’s pay and some solid backs play led a terrific burst by UCL’s outside centre, who put in a clever kick into the corner as he was closed down. UCL’s winger showed enough pace to reach the try line in time to collect the chip and put UCL ahead.
UCL came straight back at King’s and began to find holes in KCL’s defence. King’s appeared to be struggling with UCL’s pace in the backs, and a burst of speed from UCL’s winger tore through the defensive line as the defending champions finally found the fluency, scoring in the corner. UCL’s fly half missed the resulting conversion to make it 10-3.
King’s began to reclaim the game as the second half drew to a close with KCL’s full back Charlie High repeatedly breaking into UCL territory. Gritty forwards play allowed King’s to dictate, and after forcing their way into UCL’s half, Ford got into position to put home a drop goal.
As the second half began it became clear that neither side had lost their fight, as they both appeared unable to break down the other’s defence. The deadlock was broken as UCL gave away a penalty within kicking distance; Ford’s attempt, however, hit the post.
King’s eventually built enough momentum to bring them once again within range of the posts and a burst of sustained pressure yielded another penalty. Ford’s boot reduced the deficit to one point.
UCL attempted to re-establish themselves in the game but the pattern of the second half soon seemed set, with both sides displaying some genuine pace and skill but with little gain. A strong King’s attack down mounted as winger Steffan Davies picked up on a stray ball and displayed some tremendous power to force his way down the flank. Although the attack failed to produce a try, Ford notched another penalty and put King’s ahead as the game drew to a close.
With less than five minutes remaining, UCL gave one last push and were soon camped out on the King’s 5 metre line. After several phases of rucks, UCL flung the ball out to the backs and some quick hands seemed to have put them through for a certain try when an inspired drift defence from King’s forced the ball into touch. The resulting line out allowed King’s to boot the ball deep into UCL territory.
As the final whistle blew the stands erupted and King’s fans stormed the pitch to mark the end of possibly the most emotional event in the student sports calendar.
KCL 12- 10 UCL
