THESE were the most successful and impressive performances from Kelly?s U18s squad for many a year. This U18s Rugby Sevens tournament at the Marches Sevens, Hereford Cathedral School attracts a large number of schools from across the country and rightly commands the reputation of a National event. The team led by Gareth Bater took on Rydall School from North Wales in the first group game. This was a close encounter with Kelly scoring and converting an early try. Rydall responded with a converted try and then a penalty to take a 7-10 led. Kelly fought hard to score a late try to win 12-10. The second match was against Cheltenham College. It looked like the tie was slipping away as Cheltenham scored late in the second half to take a 19-21 lead. However, tough tackling and determined rucking saw Simon Jeffery score the decisive try and seal a memorable victory and a place in the second round. Drawn against Llanhari, Kelly again competed with determination. There was some tough tackling from Kyle Bayliss and Tristram Woods in particular, although the success in this match was down to teamwork and self-belief. At the end of full time the scores were tied at 14 each. The game went into sudden death. The open encounters were tense, but eventually Tristram Woods used his strength and broke through to score under the posts. Kelly College were now in the last eight of a major competition! The Quarter Finals were against Coleg Sir Gar. After falling behind to an early try, Kelly responded with some powerful forward play. Richard Goldsby-West and Luke Clement were strong in the scrum and at half time Kelly led 12-7. Two early scores from Coleg and then an immediate response from Kelly set up another grandstand finish. With seconds remaining, Tom Hobbs jinked his way clear on half way. He sprinted towards the line and looked destined to make the decisive score but sadly he was hauled down. The Kelly team celebrated thinking he had scored but during the confusion that followed the referee awarded a defensive scrum and then blew for the end of the match and defeat.
