Notts, Lincs & Derbys Under-13 Shield
Kesteven 15
Bakewell 12
Kesteven stormed to their fifth consecutive NLD final in a thrilling and brutal encounter at Sleaford on Sunday.
The Black Army started apace and a sweeping passing movement saw Jack Palin find space on the wing, and his blistering pace took him over in the corner.
A similar try midway through the first half began with scrum-half Devlin Archer’s blind side break, and again Palin danced over for his second.
Ks’ back row of Jacob Hughes, Glyn Cox and Dan Brenton created space for centre Edwards who released left wing Adam Tapson to score in the corner. Bakewell pulled a try back before half time.
It was the final play of the game before any further score, with Bakewell scoring under the posts but still four points behind triumphant Kesteven.
Kesteven under-13 are from left, back – coaches Dave Hodgson, Angus Shaw, Glyn Cox and Tom Price; middle – Josh Peters, Harvey Fuller, Dan Brenton, Harry Cox, Jacob Hughes, Davey Hodgson, Tom Edwards, Cutirs Taylor, James Cole and Ben Cole; front – Lochlan Parr, Patrick Sheard, George Wainwright, Devlin Archer, Will Brewis, Freddie
Young, Zac Spriggs, Finley Moth, Adam Tapson, Jack Palin and Toby Tapson.
Under-12
Kesteven finished as runners-up at the Market Harborough Festival on Sunday after going unbeaten in their pool games.
They beat Ashby 15-5 with tries from Ethan Archer, Danny Moore and Jack Pirie. And a 20-5 win over Market Bosworth saw tries from Ben Whinney, Moore and Pirie (2).
Ks triumphed 10-5 over Hinckley with Moore and Archer the try scorers, and a 5-5 with Market Harborough took them into the final courtesy of another Moore try.
Kesteven put up a valiant fight in the final but went down 30-0 to a very strong Wymondham side.
Under-11
Kesteven 21 Oakham 17
Kesteven 14 Whitchurch 17
Kesteven went behind early on to Oakham, conceding quick two tries, one of which was converted.
But Bob Singer opened the scoring for Ks and Sam Sacker added the two points. Patrick Bishop scored a second try and Sacker’s conversion gave Kesteven the lead.
A third try put Oakham back in front, but Jamie Bishop’s try gave Ks victory, sealed by a Tom Duncomb conversion.
Kesteven conceded 12 points early on again against Whitchurch, who added a third try at the start of the second half.
Scrum-half Bishop scored at the corner for Kesteven, with Duncomb adding the two points, as the home side started to dominate.
Singer powered over the line for Kesteven’s second and Duncomb’s conversion reduced the deficit to three points, but the final whistle came to soon.
Under-10
Kesteven defeated Oakham 20-5 with tries from Tom Helliwell (2) and Daniel Keenleyside (2). And Ks also beat touring team Whitchurch 15-10 with scores from Jonny Marris and Helliwell (2).
A second match against Oakham saw a 25-10 victory. Try scorers were Daniel Brumhead and Keenleyside (3).
A final game saw Ks beat Whitchurch a second time, this time 25-10 with tries from Alfie Sanderson, Max Shippey, Bobby McDonald, Keenleyside and Freddie Thomas.
Kesteven: Sanderson, Thomas, Brunton, Clough, Keenleyside, Brumhead, Edwards, Draycott, Brady, Shippey, Helliwell, Jakes, Marris, McDonald, Farmer.
Under-8
Kesteven divided their squad, with the Tigers going to the Market Harborough Festival and Lions to Oakham.
Lions played seven games at Oakham, winning one and losing six, although all were close.
Josh, Arianne, Monty, William, Jacob, Luka and Terry all worked hard and showed great skill.
Ks fought out four pool games at Market Harborough and started out with a 7-4 win over Wymondham. Tries came from Cam A., Sam B., Sam G., and Rory S.
A 6-4 victory over Stoneygate followed with tries coming from Leo, Rory S., Cam A. and Chris G. Ks went down 6-5 to the hosts’ second team, with five tries from Sam G., Cam A., Cam. B and Rory S.
Leo scored a hat trick in Ks’ 4-1 win over Nuneaton, with Sam B. also on the scoresheet, but it was not enough to reach the final.