OUTLAWS 18 KIPPAX KNIGHTS 38
Report by Richard Johnson
Photos copyright Mick Gill (gallery)
Nottingham Outlaws entertained Conference National newcomers Kippax Knights on Saturday hoping to extend their winning run after last week's victory over Dewsbury Celtic. However, a physically dominant Kippax side were too strong for a depleted Outlaws team and despite a brave fight-back they eventually succumbed to a bruising 38-18 defeat at the hands of their Yorkshire rivals.
Coach Martin Crick at last took up the coaching reins after missing the opening 2 games due to volcanic ash which left him stranded in Lanzarotte. Crick's coaching skills were immediately tested on his return when he had to undertake a major re-shuffle after a host of injuries and unavailabilities tore the heart out of his first choice pack. Si Morton, George Strachan and Dan Reeds were all missing and things went from bad to worse when Rob Brown had to withdraw at the last minute after picking up an injury in training.
The Outlaws made the worst possible start when they failed to gather the kick-off and withing 30 seconds they were 6-0 down when the Kippax forwards capitalised on their error and charged over for an early lead.
Above: Fullback Nathan Walmsley looks to evade a Kippax defender
Stung by this reversal, the shell-shocked Outlaws rallied and began to ask a few questions of the Kippax defence. Big Aidan Pritchard led the way with a fine burst and they finally levelled on the 6th minute when an Outlaws charge-down was picked up by Dom Walsh. The young Trent flyer burst down the wing before unloading to Tom Cliffe who in turn released prop Si Perry. The big prop forward crashed over from short range and Nathan Walmsley added the extrasto level the scores at 6-6.
As the first stanza unfolded the shape of the match began to emerge, Kippax favouring their big forwards to drive the ball down the middle of the park whilst the Outlaws looked to move the ball wide at every opportunity. With the Outlaws forwards struggling to hold the big Kippax pack it was only a matter of time before the cracks started to appear and repeat sets in the Outlaws red zone ended with Kippax going back into the lead at 12-6 with a well-worked try through the forwards.
Things then went from bad to worse as a nasty high-tackle on captain Paul Calland somehow resulted in a reverse penalty being awarded to Kippax and from the resulting attack the Knights stretched their lead to 18-6 when once again their forwards proved too strong to hold.
Above: Flying winger Melbourne Weir looks to avoid the attentions of the Kippax defence
With half time approaching the Outlaws lifted their game and a series of big shots on the Knight's pack saw the visitors get more and more rattled and their discipline snapped just before the break when no fewer than two Kippax players were sin-binned in quick succession to give the Outlaws a 2-man numerical advantage as the half-time whistle went. Coach Martin Crick used the half time break to re-shuffle his troops and he threw Bryn Waldram and James Sadler into the breach as he tried to breathe new life into his forwards. The second half could not have got off to a worse start when from the very first play Simon Perry went down in a heavy tackle and had to be carried from the field with what looked like knee ligament damage.
To their credit the Outlaws rallied in the face of adversity and a well worked set saw scrum half Jimmy Lewis launch a pin-point accurate bomb into the Kippax in-goal area and the industrious Jez Cox out-jumped the Kippax winger to collect the ball and score in the corner. It was just reward for the young second rower who was having a great game and he deservedly went on to take the man of the match trophy. The conversion attempt by Walmsley just sailed wide but at 10-18 the Outlaws were back in the match.
Straight from the re-start the Outlaws attacked again and they scored the best try of the game when the ball went through five pairs of hands before a slick pass by Walmsley released Melbourne Weir and the young flyer scorched down the pitch to score a superb try. Walmsley had no problems adding the extras to bring the scores within 2 points and he then levelled the scores at 18-18 with a penalty on the 20 metre line as the Kippax discipline started to crack.
With 20 minutes to go the Outlaws had forced their way back into a match in which they appeared dead and buried at half time. However, a disastrous 10-minute spell saw all their efforts come to nothing. The problems began on the re-start when they failed to gather the ball and the Knights swept into the Outlaws red zone, winning a penalty before a deft kick into the in-goal saw the Knights go back into the lead at 22-18.
Above: Man of the Match Jez Cox put in a tireless 80-minute stint
Things then went from bad to worse as the Outlaws ill-discipline continued to put them under pressure. They gifted a series of cheap penalties to the Knights who quickly began to dominate field position and possession.
Without the ball the Outlaws struggled to contain the physically stronger Kippax pack and as the game entered the final quarter the Knights began to run away with the match. They went further ahead when they crashed over from short range to make it 28-18 and the game was effectively up for the Outlaws.
With the clock ticking down the Outlaws were still in with a shout of a bonus point but 2 Kippax tries in the last 5 minutes saw even that small comfort snuffed out as the referee mercifully drew proceedings to a close with the Knights well in control at 38-18.
After the game, a sombre Outlaws coach paid tribute to his battered troops, commenting "we are doing it tough at the moment and the injury situation has left us seriously depleted. However, I couldn't ask any more from my players in terms of effort and commitment and clearly, on the evidence of what we have seen this season its going to be a very tough one as all of the sides look to have strengthened compared to last year"
The matches don't get any easier for the battered Outlaws and they face a tough looking trip up the M1 to last season's champions Bramley on Sunday. The depleted Outlaws know they will face a tough challenge against a team that are currently odds-on favourites for the title and unbeaten at home in over 3 years.
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